Suspenseful, fantastically written, and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end when the reader finally understands why the format of th...moreSuspenseful, fantastically written, and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end when the reader finally understands why the format of the book was written the way it was. I am not usually surprised, but the ending surprised me. What is a parent willing to do for his child? Is love unconditional? This is a great book to discuss for a book club meeting. Advances in our understanding of DNA and heredity make this story even more chilling. This aspect of the story reminds me of the book Cast of Shadows. (less)
I first read this in junior high; then I taught it for quite a few years to freshmen. Anne's voice is fresh, positive, real, a wonderful insight into...moreI first read this in junior high; then I taught it for quite a few years to freshmen. Anne's voice is fresh, positive, real, a wonderful insight into the Holocaust as told through teen eyes. Everyone should read this!(less)
I loved this book. For some reason, it took me forever to get past the first 25 pages, but then I was hooked. I liked the four voices of the women who...moreI loved this book. For some reason, it took me forever to get past the first 25 pages, but then I was hooked. I liked the four voices of the women who told the story, and I was deeply moved by the universality of pain, love, hatred, desire, and survival. Despite the setting of over 2,000 years ago, we are similar with the women of this book. I applaud Hoffman's extensive research and her sensitivity of the topic and characters. Don't expect a typical Hoffman book of magical realism,love story, and struggles. The struggles and love are here, but they are more intense, more painful, more real than anything she has written before. This is great historical fiction. (less)
Of all the books by Berg that I have read, I think this is her most ambitious. It has historical elements and multilayered plotlines like some of her...moreOf all the books by Berg that I have read, I think this is her most ambitious. It has historical elements and multilayered plotlines like some of her others, but what makes this book so appealing to me is that she isn't forcing the issues on the reader. The book is very simple, cliched in fact, but that is what makes it good. We see what it was like to be a woman in love (and in trouble in more ways than one)during the backdrop of WW2. (less)
This book was touted as being the next Kabul Beauty School because of its coverage of life for women under the Taliban reign in Afghanistan and how th...moreThis book was touted as being the next Kabul Beauty School because of its coverage of life for women under the Taliban reign in Afghanistan and how these women managed to work to provide for their families. The book does detail this, and the book's writing style is better than Kabul Beauty School, but I found the second half of the book too cursory. The family's story, and especially Kamila Sadiqui's, is an amazing tale, but I don't feel as if the author truly captured their spirit because Lemmon tried to cover too much in too few pages. I liked Lemmon's pithy and succinct history lesson on Afghanistan and how/why the Taliban was able to take over the country, and despite my dissatisfaction with the sparseness of the story, I did like the book and appreciate the many years the author took to interview and then write the story. (less)
I really enjoyed this story of the Romanovs told by Rasputin's daughter. Masha's first person voice is mesmerizing; I like the stories she tells to Al...moreI really enjoyed this story of the Romanovs told by Rasputin's daughter. Masha's first person voice is mesmerizing; I like the stories she tells to Alyosha to keep him occupied while recuperating and healing from his mishaps. Everyone knows how the Romanov story ends, but Harrison's skilled writing evokes empathy and awe for historical characters and a bygone era. Harrison deftly weaves a myriad of details without belaboring the descriptions so that afterward, I was struck by the nuances of it all. (less)
This was an optional read for my frosh when we studied WW2/the Holocaust. It's very accessible to teens who can relate to Esther. The story is reminis...moreThis was an optional read for my frosh when we studied WW2/the Holocaust. It's very accessible to teens who can relate to Esther. The story is reminiscent of Anne Frank's, but I like that this focuses on Russia; it reminds the reader that the Jews were not the only victims of The Holocaust/WW2.(less)
I liked this better than its predecessor Eon. Eon was about world building and mystical realms and was a bit too fantastical for me. This book is abou...moreI liked this better than its predecessor Eon. Eon was about world building and mystical realms and was a bit too fantastical for me. This book is about action, adventure, characters, love triangles, and war - in a "real" world. The fantasy elements (dragons and power and hua) are tempered with human emotions - love, loyalty, trust, faith, betrayal, jealousy, etc. I especially like that Eona is flawed, makes mistakes, jumps to wrong conclusions, and is a bit naive. Her strength is her duality so that we the reader learn and grow with her. I appreciate learning about some ancient Chinese culture, too. (less)
Past and present, history and today. Another good read by Foer. The ending is not great. Interesting concept to use the author himself as the narrator...morePast and present, history and today. Another good read by Foer. The ending is not great. Interesting concept to use the author himself as the narrator, (less)
This is a VERY LONG book, but it is very satisfying. A long saga of 5 generations and the book includes everything - war, love, friendship, world issu...moreThis is a VERY LONG book, but it is very satisfying. A long saga of 5 generations and the book includes everything - war, love, friendship, world issues. It is an engrossing read. And this was a first novel - she's a good writer!(less)
Boston and the beginnings of the Revolutionary War. It's a familiar landscape for everyone regardless of our age. This is a great way to teach student...moreBoston and the beginnings of the Revolutionary War. It's a familiar landscape for everyone regardless of our age. This is a great way to teach students about that time period because it follows a few characters closely, and we become emotionally attached to them. I thought I would scream every time the author used the word FRACAS because she simply uses it TOO MANY times, and I found this incredibly irritating!Her A BREAK WITH CHARITY was much better than this one.(less)
Larkin, a pseudonym for a reporter fluent in Burmese, used Orwell's four years in Burma and his three books to illustrate the history and oppression o...moreLarkin, a pseudonym for a reporter fluent in Burmese, used Orwell's four years in Burma and his three books to illustrate the history and oppression of today's Burma. Larkin visits Burma (now Myanmar) and speaks with the Burmese to determine how Burma because such a totalitarian state. Very enlightening to learn of this country and Orwell himself. Book drags in a few spots, but is well worth the read.(less)
I LOVED this book. Cassandra narrates the story. I love the Iliad (all Greek mythology actually), so how could I not love Bradley's retelling of it? I...moreI LOVED this book. Cassandra narrates the story. I love the Iliad (all Greek mythology actually), so how could I not love Bradley's retelling of it? I felt as if I were transported to this time period. (less)
I read this after I saw the movie. I really liked it. And when the book was being considered for the NH Flume Teen Reads list for 2008 - 2009, I read...moreI read this after I saw the movie. I really liked it. And when the book was being considered for the NH Flume Teen Reads list for 2008 - 2009, I read it again. You don't have to be a WWII fan to enjoy this book. (less)
I get it that Hemingway likes to write about war and he likes to explore personal integrity, loyalty, and honor. It's not that the book is a bad book;...moreI get it that Hemingway likes to write about war and he likes to explore personal integrity, loyalty, and honor. It's not that the book is a bad book; but I just feel it didn't have to be so long to tell this story.(less)
I LOVED this book. If you saw 300 and liked the movie, then you MUST read this book. The descriptions are intense; the characters superb, and the plot...moreI LOVED this book. If you saw 300 and liked the movie, then you MUST read this book. The descriptions are intense; the characters superb, and the plot creative. I am a sucker for historical books of bygone times in ancient cultures. (less)
Very subtle, very lyrical. I really liked this book a lot. Invasion of China by Japan, this shows the two cultures beautifully. Semi - love story, wri...moreVery subtle, very lyrical. I really liked this book a lot. Invasion of China by Japan, this shows the two cultures beautifully. Semi - love story, written very well.(less)
Fell in love with the movie as a young teen and finally read the book right before I graduated from high school. Reread the book about 10 years ago an...moreFell in love with the movie as a young teen and finally read the book right before I graduated from high school. Reread the book about 10 years ago and wished I hadn't because I didn't have those young innocent eyes that I did as a teen. Still liked it, but not the way I did the first time I read it. (less)
This book captivated me from the start. I loved the first person narrative, the mix of supernatural powers, European history, romance, war, friendship...moreThis book captivated me from the start. I loved the first person narrative, the mix of supernatural powers, European history, romance, war, friendship, and mythology. There is a little bit of everything in this book, and the 500+ pages flew by too quickly; I'm looking forward to the next book in the series even though it appears it will follow other characters and not Ismae and Duval. Fans of the Poison Study series should llike this book. Ismae is one heck of a heroine!(less)
The plot is good, but I found the writing stilted, awkward, overdone at times, and difficult to read. I simply do not understand why Oates receives th...moreThe plot is good, but I found the writing stilted, awkward, overdone at times, and difficult to read. I simply do not understand why Oates receives the praise that she does. I think her plotlines are interesting and usually well developed and her characterization is good, but I think her writing style is ungainly for lack of a better word.(less)
I read this book in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the letter format. I was afraid that I would find the format tedious, and I didn't...moreI read this book in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the letter format. I was afraid that I would find the format tedious, and I didn't want to read another WW2/Holocaust/post WW2 story, but the book was a delight to read. I loved the references to famous authors and I loved how the characters met through letters and these letters tell the story. The book is humorous and lighthearted but it explores some serious topics. (less)
This is one of the most educating, inspiring, and fulfilling books I have read in a long time. Usually when reporters write books, I find the writing...moreThis is one of the most educating, inspiring, and fulfilling books I have read in a long time. Usually when reporters write books, I find the writing style unsatisfactory, but that is not the case with this book at all. The book is highly readable.
The authors, a married couple who have written for The NY Times and Times for 20+ years, deserve immense praise for not only highlighting the plight of women in Third World countries but also for providing historical and cultural references, religious mores,and specific examples of what people are doing today to make changes and help. The book is unflinching in its descriptions of the violence, poverty, and abuse that women suffer, but the book deserves praise because it doesn't merely describe these atrocities. Rather, the book analyzes how all of us contribute to the problems and what we can do to help.
Three Cups of Tea, Stones Into Schools, Kabul Beauty School, The Dressmaker of Khair Khana, etc. are all good, but they did not stir in me what this book did.
Beautifully written, this short novel reads like poetry. Brother and sister Frank and Cee have great adversity in their lives, but together they heal...moreBeautifully written, this short novel reads like poetry. Brother and sister Frank and Cee have great adversity in their lives, but together they heal and thrive. The story is told in a subtle manner without fanfare that it makes the story all that more powerful and moving. (less)
Even Follett's "bad" books are good books. The man can certainly write. I don't think this one is as good as Jackdaws (they both use WWII as the setti...moreEven Follett's "bad" books are good books. The man can certainly write. I don't think this one is as good as Jackdaws (they both use WWII as the setting)but it's his characters that always draw me into his books. And, Follett always peppers his books with strong female characters. I liked that one of the characters is only 18 - so many WWII books cast people as much older; it's good to see youth. (less)
I enjoyed this story of WW2, Japanese internment camps, forbidden young love, racism/prejudices, jazz music, and family responsibilities. For a first...moreI enjoyed this story of WW2, Japanese internment camps, forbidden young love, racism/prejudices, jazz music, and family responsibilities. For a first novel, it's written well. The author uses the same style as Sparks' The Notebook (past and present), and the story's plot line reminds me of the movie Forever Young; this works well enough. Unlike my peers who loved this book, I'm not so sure that teens will love it the way their teachers have. I think this is because there is as much focus on the adult storyline as the teen one. And because so many topics are shown in this novel, it feels more like breadth than depth to me. However, these many topics do make it a good teachable book. (less)
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