|
May 27
|
|
Lisa
gave
 
to:
Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac (Hardcover)
by Gabrielle Zevin
bookshelves:
young-adult
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in May, 2008
Lisa said:
"in a sentence: a suspicious fall down the school stairs leaves naomi with amnesia...which doesn't turn out to be SUCH a bad thing (at first).
naomi wakes up on her way to the hospital with the emo-hottie james, only to discover that she remembers ...more
in a sentence: a suspicious fall down the school stairs leaves naomi with amnesia...which doesn't turn out to be SUCH a bad thing (at first).
naomi wakes up on her way to the hospital with the emo-hottie james, only to discover that she remembers nothing of the past 4 years of her life. she doesn't remember that her parents are divorced, she doesn't remember her best friend Will (who is adorably obsessed with making CD mixes), or her boyfriend Ace (hot jock). she struggles with the confusion of having no recollection of her identity while others are trying to be patient with her along the way with nudges of encouragement. turns out, naomi is just fine not remembering who she is...for now.
there is lots of drama to go around, lots of built in mystery (having no memory and all), and great high school social commentary. it feels a little like shes invisible in that naomi has the opportunity to make herself whoever she wants because she has the freedom to let go of everything she can't remember. with this freedom comes the choice to let go of her frustrations, her regrets...but also the ability to play naive even when she's not.
Zevin does a great job of with the catch 22 of freedom and restraint with having no memory. the relationships naomi forms are confusing, yet understandable with her situation. the relationship with james is especially realistic to me - mainly so because of her explanation of his mental illness. even things she likes or doesn't like are up in the air, and naomi's frustration is palpable.
i really like the premise of the book, though it may seem a bit campy at first. Zevin really develops the plot and hooked me in. the family relationships and those with her friends are what really hold the book together, and what bring the novel full circle in the conclusion.
fave quote: "I wondered if the person who really loves you is the person who knows all your stories, the person who wants to know all your stories" (244)
fix er up: i was slightly irritated with the way things were all neatly wrapped up with naomi and her family...but the ambiguity of her relationship with will was enough to leave it feeling more true to the rest of the book.
...less
"
|
|
Lisa
added:
Northanger Abbey (Barnes & Noble Classics Series)
by Jane Austen
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
|
|
May 14
|
|
Lisa
gave
to:
Plainsong (Paperback)
by Kent Haruf
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in May, 2008
Lisa said:
"in a sentence: life in holt, CO may be simple, but that doesn't mean it's boring.
plainsong is a weaving of 4 intertwined story lines - a pregger teen, 2 boys who are dealing with the complicated and unfortunate circumstances of their parents divo...more
in a sentence: life in holt, CO may be simple, but that doesn't mean it's boring.
plainsong is a weaving of 4 intertwined story lines - a pregger teen, 2 boys who are dealing with the complicated and unfortunate circumstances of their parents divorce, the father of the boys, and finally two old farmers. seemingly unrelated stories beautifully connect and combine into the power of relationships and the need for humans to feel and experience love.
reading this book put me at ease - which is weird because almost all the characters are in a state of turmoil in the book. cool how that feels like life, huh? we coast through life doing okay most of the time, but the reality is there is always drama going on between people in our lives or within ourselves beneath the surface. i was really impressed with how haruf was able to weave these stories together in a non-hokey way. i was even more impressed that the ending didn't tie everything up into a neat little package, but rather left it where it was. that being said, i don't feel like i wasted my time reading this book because the journey was very rewarding in itself.
plainsong is simple, but deep. don't mistake the lackluster language and format for boring, because this is anything but. he is great at exploring the intricacies of relationships without the reader even being aware of it - tricky and rewarding.
fave quote: "i tell you, it seems like you get one thing fixed and something else pops up" (175)
fix er' up: okay, i admit it - i crave resolution. i'm glad it wasn't tied up in a neat little package, but i guess i still wanted SOMETHING more at the end...
...less
"
|
|
April 25
|
|
Lisa
gave
to:
The BFG (Puffin Fiction)
by Roald Dahl
bookshelves:
fantasy
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
recommended for: anyone
read in April, 2008
Lisa said:
"in a sentence: sophie, a little girl on the top floor of an icky orphanage, is awake during the witching hour and knows something is up...and then she meets a big, friendly, giant! let the adventure begin!
oh man, i absolutely love this book. it j...more
in a sentence: sophie, a little girl on the top floor of an icky orphanage, is awake during the witching hour and knows something is up...and then she meets a big, friendly, giant! let the adventure begin!
oh man, i absolutely love this book. it just makes me feel like snuggling up under a blanket and cozying with a teddy bear. sophie is scooped up by the BFG (big friendly giant) while he is doing some very suspicious things - blowing some liquid into people ears? after being gently carried to the land of the giants, things really start to get interesting. sophie realizes that not all giants are quite so nice as the BFG, in fact, they are downright awful. sophie is ultimately appalled when she learns that giants eat...CHILDREN!
the BFG and Sophie are on a mission to save any other children from getting gobbled by the giants. the BFG and his interactions with the other giants are absolutely heartbreaking - but a glimmer of hope in that he never lets them get him down, despite their nasty ways.
this book is bursting with creativity, love, frustration, exploration, mystery, friendship, laughter, and many other heartwarming aspects. you can read it at 5 to 95 and love it just the same, and want to read it over and over again!
faves: how the giants talk - Roald Dahl is certainly one creative man. also, the illustrations were perfect for the book - a little odd but still make you smile. finally, the ending was AMAZING (what ultimately happens to Sophie and BFG).
fix er up: i want to say i wish it were longer, but really that's only because i loved it SO MUCH i want to read it again and again.
...less
"
|
|
February 24
|
|
Lisa
gave
to:
Beware, Princess Elizabeth: A Young Royals Book (Paperback)
by Carolyn Meyer
bookshelves:
hist-fic,
young-adult
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in November, 2007
Lisa said:
"in a sentence: Princess Elizabeth, the beautiful bastard child of Henry VIII, struggles through her sister Mary's persecution and her romantic trials through - and eventual abandonment - of marriage. All of this while she is waiting to become Queen o...more
in a sentence: Princess Elizabeth, the beautiful bastard child of Henry VIII, struggles through her sister Mary's persecution and her romantic trials through - and eventual abandonment - of marriage. All of this while she is waiting to become Queen of England.
The historical fiction novel is told from the point of view of Elizabeth herself, which creates a memoir sort of feel for the reader. Elizabeth faces some tough stuff, such as having to fake giving up her faith, watching her brother suffer and die on the throne, and then finally face a seemingly never ending persecution from her older sister (whom she already dislikes a great deal, and vice versa) through forcing marriage proposals and moving her around the countryside to live in dank and dungey castles. Not exactly a sisterly love to be desired.
The book is very readable, as if you are looking into her personal diary. She is presented in such a real (and young adult) way that it's almost impossible not to feel sorry for her and secretly hate Mary along with Elizabeth's burning passion. The writing quality is solid, and the characters are well developed and relatable. While history may seem boring to some (okay most) young adults, the author presents this in a way that makes it both interesting, informative, and enjoyable. While there were some parts of the novel that seemed redunant, like Elizabeth moving from place to place, Mary's several unsuccesful pregnancies, etc. - the diary-like flow kept you wanting more. That and Elizabeth's wit and insight as well make this novel one that is worth reading and recommending to adults and young adults alike.
...less
"
|
|
Lisa
gave
to:
Troy (Hardcover)
by Adele Geras
bookshelves:
hist-fic,
young-adult
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in January, 2007
Lisa said:
"in a sentence: a story about sisters, friends, gods and goddesses, war, love, pain - with a particular focus on a love triangle (more like love-hexagon) all set by the backdrop of the Trojan War.
Marpessa and Xanthe are sisters. Marpessa is Helen'...more
in a sentence: a story about sisters, friends, gods and goddesses, war, love, pain - with a particular focus on a love triangle (more like love-hexagon) all set by the backdrop of the Trojan War.
Marpessa and Xanthe are sisters. Marpessa is Helen's personal assistant, and Xanthe is the nursemaid to Andromache (Hector's wife). the trojan war has been going on for 10 years now, and the gods on Mount Olympus are both bored and frustrated with the events unfolding, and are ready for a change...unfortunately, that's not the worst of it for Xanthe and Marpessa. love, loyalty, and divine intervention permeate their beings - for better or for worse.
from the fiery love of Paris and Helen to the loyal and tragic hero Hector, the weaving of the gods and goddesses like Zeus, Athena, and Hermes into the story is creative, without being cheesy. the love hexagon is scandalous and juicy, which left me craving for more. i loved the omniscient narrator combined with the alternating scenes for chapter titles as a way to break the monotony of the storyline. Geras uses the Trojan war as a backdrop for the story, but also to serve a greater purpose - the war itself is vital to the situations created and a macrocosm of the events. most of all, i am impressed at the deeper "greek mythology" feel to the story...that nothing turns out quite right for the characters. there is always a tinge of regret, sorrow, or frustration with their situation. how true to real life, no? the character development is solid and leaves your heart smiling with theirs and hurting when they hurt until the very end.
this is a great read for historical fiction fans, those looking for a little scandalous romance, and pretty much anyone looking to score an enthralling and passionate read. According to the VOYA standards, I give this a solid 4Q 4P.
favorite quote: "The fire was not enough. The swords and the spears and the shrieking and the blood and the broken bodies were not enough. Anger and revenge and hatred and bitterness and darkness were not enough." (301)
fix er up: when the characters see the gods and goddesses, they generally forget them almost immediately after they leave - with the exception of Marpessa. near the end i found myself getting a bit frustrated with the "and they forgot what happened" or "as soon as Ares left, so did the thoughts"...could have gone unsaid by the 3rd or 4th time....less
"
|
|
Lisa
gave
to:
The Arrival (Hardcover)
by Shaun Tan
bookshelves:
young-adult
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in January, 2008
Lisa said:
"in a sentence: a story of a man's journey to the unknown place, people, food, language, and total confusion for the sake of his family.
much to my surprise, my second graphic novel ever (the first was "Robot Dreams") was just as pleasing...more
in a sentence: a story of a man's journey to the unknown place, people, food, language, and total confusion for the sake of his family.
much to my surprise, my second graphic novel ever (the first was "Robot Dreams") was just as pleasing as the first. the images are incredibly creative, yet familiar at the same time. i loved how Shaun Tan used sepia-tones with the images, to create a nostalgic feel.
while there are some obvious allusions to early-modern immigration, the fantasy aspects are still thriving and alive. the emotions are tangible and clear.
favorite quote: not a quote exactly, but how the cycle begins again at the end of the novel - 'pay it forward' kind of deal.
fix er up: i was a little confused at parts of the story, but i assume that was a literary device to illustrate the confusion of being foreign in a new place....less
"
|
|
Lisa
gave
to:
Kit's Wilderness (Readers Circle)
by David Almond
bookshelves:
fantasy,
faves,
young-adult
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in September, 2007
Lisa said:
"in a sentence: A story based journey with Kit Watson through the semi-dream/semi-reality experience in his family's hometown during his Grandfather's final times.
The story begins simply enough, with the coming home again to support a Grandfather ...more
in a sentence: A story based journey with Kit Watson through the semi-dream/semi-reality experience in his family's hometown during his Grandfather's final times.
The story begins simply enough, with the coming home again to support a Grandfather during the loss of his Grandmother. We journey with Kit as he starts a new school, meets new people, and uncovers a plethora of family history within this small town that goes back hundreds of years. There is a genuine goodness in Kit, and a strong desire to know more that draws the reader to him. The elements in the book range from dark to light, fantasy to reality, and everywhere in between. Emotions run high in both the stories that Kit writes and in his real life relationships with the town.
The blending of reality and fantasy is incredible. The reader becomes blurred in what is really happening and what is not, and therefore puts us right in Kit's shoes. The comic relief of Allie is welcome in this otherwise heavy novel, and is tastefully done. The reader's heart breaks for John Askew and his dark and troubled past. The plot moves swiftly, but takes time to truly develop emotions and situations in a respectful way. The reader is kept in the dark with Kit, and I found myself having "ah-ha" moments at the same time as intended - nothing was revealed a moment too soon. It was gutsy to put a book of this intensity and darkness out there to a young adult audience, but it is done so respectfully and honestly and so genuine. The challenge of blending reality with fantasy is met in this novel, and takes it to a truly higher level of literature....less
"
|
|
Lisa
gave
to:
Avalon High (Hardcover)
by Meg Cabot
bookshelves:
young-adult
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in February, 2008
Lisa said:
"in a sentence: ellie (new girl at new school, thanks to her professor parents on sabbatical) meets will, the potential reincarnation of king arthur (and serious hottie). let the fun begin!
this was seriously one of the most fun, enjoyable, and swe...more
in a sentence: ellie (new girl at new school, thanks to her professor parents on sabbatical) meets will, the potential reincarnation of king arthur (and serious hottie). let the fun begin!
this was seriously one of the most fun, enjoyable, and sweet stories i have ever heard. i listened to it in the car, and i found myself laughing out loud, smiling, and sometimes even gasping while listening! ellie, the main character and narrator, was very relatable, and you felt as if you were her best friend through the whole ordeal. the teen lingo was spot on - all of the "whatevers" and "duhs" were perfectly placed, to make it that much more believable. the story moves quickly and deliberately through her first days at a new school with all of the token, and realistic, awkwardness of the experience. you could tell that Cabot knew where she was taking you with the plot, but was making sure you enjoyed the journey too.
the blend of the chick lit + hist fic novel was PERFECT. the story of king arthur is one that is well known enough to be hinted at, but is explored more deeply by Cabot throughout the tale. the romance is sweet and genuine, while the drama - though fantasy - is very tastefully done. i also found ellie's parents to be so refreshing - genuinely caring, loving, and interested in her...despite their aloofness at times. i feel like a lot of young adult novels out there have the token 'crappy' parents, and it was nice to have the alternative in this novel.
i can't say enough great things about this book. as soon as i was done, i was 1) sad it was over and 2) ready to pop disc one back in and start at the beginning!
favorite quote (listening to it makes it harder): i liked how each chapter was prefaced by a stanza or so from the Tennyson poem that ellie gets her name from. so clever that Cabot...
fix er up: while i did find the style of writing to be true to a teenage girl speak - i could see that being irritating while reading. that is really my only complaint, and that's nit-picking hardcore....less
"
|
|
Lisa
gave
to:
Shattering Glass (Paperback)
by Gail Giles
bookshelves:
faves,
young-adult
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in September, 2007
Lisa said:
"in a sentence: A classic high school "geek to chic" story, with a lethal twist.
This clever story follows the lives of 4 boys and their goal to transform the class nerd to Mr. popular. They are led by a charismatic and irresistible frien...more
in a sentence: A classic high school "geek to chic" story, with a lethal twist.
This clever story follows the lives of 4 boys and their goal to transform the class nerd to Mr. popular. They are led by a charismatic and irresistible friend, with many secrets. The story is narrated from the point of view of the best friend of the leader, Young, and takes place at a private high school in Texas. The kids are wealthy (for the most part), the parents are disinterested (for the most part), and there are plenty of opportunities for things to get out of control. The story is suspenseful and all of the characters are easy to relate to on some level with the reader. This book speaks to the high school experience, if not with the dramatic playing out of the events, then with the struggles of 'leaders and followers' in cliques. The reader can feel the frustration, the irritation, and the tensions mounting throughout the novel. The discomfort and frustration are immediate within the reader with the opening paragraph of "Simon Glass was easy to hate. I never knew exactly why, there was too much to pick from. I guess, really, we each hated him for a different reason, but we didn't realize it until the day we killed him" (Pg. 1).
This was an amazing story. The young adult reader will immediately connect with at least one of the four popular-yet-flawed male leads, the nerd, or the caring girlfriend on the outer circle. There is a character in here for everyone to relate to. It was an interesting choice for the author to choose the best friend of the leader, Rob, to narrate the novel. While the other boys' reasons for being popular are obvious to us, because we are from the narrators point of view, we don't really know why he's popular. The dialog exchanged between the teen characters is real, the leisure activities seem so natural, and the brief yet vivid descriptions of scenes draws the reader in to what may already be familiar territory of school, friends houses, and parties. It was especially interesting how the author chose a quote from a character to start off each chapter from five years in the future. It is revealed slowly through these what to expect, what the final result is, and what happens to them. It serves as an epilogue of sorts while developing the plot along. I was very close to nominating this novel, but I felt that while this was a really good read with a great story, it just shy of the award level. Parts of the characters came off as predictable and hokey, but only briefly. However, young adult readers can sense a hokey character from a mile away, and that might kick them out of parts of the story. Despite it's minor flaws, this is still an outstanding work of literature for young adults...less
"
|
