"Finally passed the halfway point..."
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by Stephenie Meyer
Do you want to borrow this one from me? I can dig it up when I come home this weekend if you want it, as well as those other books you requested... ]]>
by Cormac McCarthy
Yay, you're almost done. Are you enthralled by the story? I finally saw the trailer for the movie this weekend and it looks pretty creepy - but in a good way, if that's possible.
I hope you enjoy the last 20 pages or so! ]]>
bookshelves: books-in-a-series, currently-reading, in-my-library
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bookshelves: 2009, highly-recommended
Still Alice follows Dr. Alice Howland, a 50 year old professor at Harvard University, as she is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease and the progression the disease takes on her mind. Although it is written in the third person, the reader is provided with the perspective of the disease as seen through the eyes of the patient – a perspective we might not otherwise be privy to in real life. Along with a decline in memory and cognitive functioning, patients with Alzheimer’s disease also experience a disturbance in language, such as not being able to find the right word, difficulty following and comprehending a conversation, and reading impairments.
This book is cleverly written and it is unbelievable that this is only the first novel written by Lisa Genova. Instead of writing with a scientific pen, Genova has delicately described the story of Alice as her dementia begins to take over her career, her relationships, and herself.
Still Alice is a book to lose yourself in. It is a beautiful work of art that everyone out there should have the privilege of reading, especially those who are suffering from or caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease.
I am SO glad that I read this book and can’t wait to recommend it to everyone I know! ]]>
bookshelves: 2009
Another great book by Binchy. This one started slow with Father Flynn, but it picked up after the first chapter. Every subsequent chapter, except for one in the middle and the final one, were narrated by two different characters that were related in one capacity or another. The switching of characters within and across chapters gave the feeling of reading a series of short stories; however, in true Binchy style, the characters are all interrelated in some way. The chapters about Father Flynn introduce the story's characters and provide endings for them as well.
This was a sweet and light novel, again cleverly written as always. Binchy has a great way with words and a great mind for developing characters by providing them with intriguing plots and backgrounds. I really have no idea where she finds influence for some of the characters she has created in this book and all the others she has written. She has a marvelous talent for writing and I hope she keeps creating such interesting works for us to read! ]]>
by Beatrice Sparks
It may well wound morbid, but it is oh so true. ]]>
bookshelves: 2009, non-fiction
An interesting look at the diary of a seemingly normal teenager who suddenly becomes addicted to drugs. The diary documents her initial experience and how it led to others; how she ran away from home on numerous occasions to live in other cities; how being strung out ruined her life forever.
Although it was depressing to watch the girl's life spiral away from her, it was intriguing to see how it all happened and what her thought processes were through it all. I can only imagine what it must have been like for her, and how other people are struggling with addictions like these every day.
A good read - I give it about 3.5 stars. ]]>
bookshelves: to-read
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