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August 20
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Sara
gave
 
to:
The People of Sparks (Second Book of Ember)
by Jeanne Duprau
bookshelves:
ya
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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recommended for: fans of the first book
read in August, 2008
Sara said:
"This book is completely different from the first one in the series, The City of Ember. While that book focused on people trying to make sense of their crumbling world and how to fix it, which led to much world-building and interesting observa...more
This book is completely different from the first one in the series, The City of Ember. While that book focused on people trying to make sense of their crumbling world and how to fix it, which led to much world-building and interesting observations about people who've lived their whole lives underground, this book picked up with the people from Ember joining a city called Sparks above ground. Here, the Emberites are completely out of their element, having never dealt with the sky and sun and its effects, or poisonous plants around, or even the vast openness that the world offers. The people of Sparks at first try to help the people of Ember, but their differences grow, tensions grow, and soon reluctant cooperation turns into outward hate, about to incite violence.
I didn't like this book quite as much as the first one, but that's not to say it was bad by any means. The author did a good job showing buildup between the two cities and how their vastly different backgrounds have made them the way they are. The author uses the themes in the book to explore the idea of how hate only incites more hate, and how people must do good to stop violence sometimes, tough as this might be. This message factors into the book quite heavily, almost taking over the whole story instead of this being a purely escapist novel.
If you've read the first book in the series, you'll probably enjoy this as well; I know I did. However, be advised that it's quite different from The City of Ember and that the ending is a little cheesy, too. I enjoyed this and will be reading the next book in the series....less
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Sara
gave
to:
Love the One You're With (Hardcover)
by Emily Giffin
bookshelves:
adult-fiction
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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read in August, 2008
Sara said:
"Emily Giffin is a very talented writer. Her first two books were nearly impossible to put down, she wrote the main characters so sympathetically and realistically that the stories truly came alive. Her third book was decent - not as mind-blowingly ...more
Emily Giffin is a very talented writer. Her first two books were nearly impossible to put down, she wrote the main characters so sympathetically and realistically that the stories truly came alive. Her third book was decent - not as mind-blowingly good as the first two, but still okay. This one, unfortunately, I couldn't even finish.
My problem does not stem with the plot - a married woman runs into an ex-boyfriend and starts wondering about him and how her life could have been different if she'd ended up with him. Granted, I thought the plot was on the weak side, but I had hopes that the author would pull this plot off. Sadly, it all just fell very flat, and I did not like the main character at all. I couldn't see why she'd ever dated this ex of hers, and I wasn't sympathetic to her plot because she just seemed so dumb. I made it maybe a quarter of the way through before just having to finally put it down. It just wasn't interesting.
Very disappointing, especially from an author who I know can write wonderful books. I'm sure others enjoyed this because she is a good writer, and even in this book her talent shows through, but for me, the writing wasn't enough to save it....less
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August 17
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Sara
marked as to-read:
The Bourne Supremacy (Paperback)
by Robert Ludlum
bookshelves:
to-read
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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New comment on K's review of
The Rule of Four
(see all 3 comments)
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August 16
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Sara
gave
to:
The Spiderwick Chronicles Boxed Set (Hardcover)
by Holly Black, Tony DiTerlizzi
bookshelves:
ya
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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read in August, 2008
Sara said:
"This was a very fun series to read. The books are short (only 100 pages each or so, including pages of beautiful illustrations that add to the overall enjoyment) and each book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, so you really need to read the whole seri...more
This was a very fun series to read. The books are short (only 100 pages each or so, including pages of beautiful illustrations that add to the overall enjoyment) and each book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, so you really need to read the whole series to enjoy it.
Three siblings (twin boys and their older sister) move to a relative's old house with their mom and discover their great-great-uncle's book about goblins, dwarves, brownies, elves, etc. - and these creatures live in the land but are invisible to the naked human eye! They make mischief around the house and the area, and soon the siblings find themselves drawn into a battle in this world because of the book's existence and their possession of it.
The three kids are very easy to like. They're pretty typical, each with their own interest, and occasionally bicker between themselves in an amusing way. I continually wanted to root for them and to discover what they'd get into next. Plus, as I mentioned earlier, the illustrations are excellent as well.
The only thing that surprised me about this series was that it's supposed to be for ages 7+ but had a bit of violence in it and the word "crap" was used a number of times. So, if you're planning to read this with kids, just be aware.
Overall, an enjoyable series. The plot was interesting, the characters were good, there were both funny and exciting moments, and the writing was excellent. Now I'm looking forward to watching the movie and seeing how it measures up......less
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Sara
gave
to:
Rich Boys: A Martha's Vineyard Novel (Paperback)
by Jenny O'Connell
bookshelves:
ya
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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read in August, 2008
Sara said:
"The second book in the "Island Summer" series. I didn't know what to expect from this book, since the series is not focused on one character in particular but rather has the island itself as the main character and this book's narrator is o...more
The second book in the "Island Summer" series. I didn't know what to expect from this book, since the series is not focused on one character in particular but rather has the island itself as the main character and this book's narrator is one only introduced in passing in the first book. But, it totally works. And I totally loved this book more than I did the first, which I didn't think would happen.
In this, Winnie takes a job babysitting a young girl for a family summering on the island, trying to make extra money. It seems really cushy until the girl's older brother arrives unexpectedly and starts causing trouble around the house because he has lingering anger over a lot of family issues.
What I loved about this book is that it didn't shy away from any tough issues or conversations. Winnie thinks at first that the family is perfect, then she thinks that the brother who's arrived is just a jerk, and then she starts realizing that there is a lot she doesn't know about the family situation and that so much left unsaid is causing so many problems. The growing relationship between Winnie and Jay (the brother) is done so gracefully and smoothly; one of the best written teen relationships I've read, in fact. Winnie sees Jay at his worst, they force each other to confront real problems, and Winnie sees the good and the bad to him and everyone else around them. Things aren't painted as simply black and white, and I love the book's overall message of how things may not always be easy or simple but that doesn't mean they're not worth doing. I thought this was such a sweet book that shows both relationships, friendships, and family relationships in a very well done way....less
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Sara
gave
to:
Local Girls: A Martha's Vineyard Novel (A Martha's Vineyard Summer Novel)
by Jenny O'Connell
bookshelves:
ya
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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read in August, 2008
Sara said:
"Jenny O'Connell has to be one of the best YA authors out there. There is so much I love about her writing! I love how she takes simple stories (in this case, Kendra's best friend Mona moved away from the island they grew up on and has returned for ...more
Jenny O'Connell has to be one of the best YA authors out there. There is so much I love about her writing! I love how she takes simple stories (in this case, Kendra's best friend Mona moved away from the island they grew up on and has returned for a summer there but things between them have changed) and turns them into something completely amazing. She has such a great way with words and uses simple, understated descriptions to convey actions, emotions, and thoughts. I also love how her endings are not completely 100% perfect; there is still things that are left unsaid and that the reader must infer or imagine.
Kendra is very aware of the difference between the people on Martha's Vineyard for the summer - there are those who live there year-round, like she does, and then there are those who only summer there. With Mona's mom having married a man who summers there, Mona moved to Boston and is back to spend her first summer on the island as a non-resident. Kendra constantly picks up on the differences between her friend then and now, and Mona has plenty of other friends from Boston there to spend time with. Meanwhile, Kendra starts getting to really know Mona's twin brother as someone other than "Mona's brother" and realizes that he is an interesting person to spend time with. There are a number of scenes where Kendra and Henry (Mona's brother) simply go fishing in the morning, when it's quiet and the beaches are empty, and the scenes really do just fly off the page. The author makes me feel like I am there.
The author really goes deep with some of the scenes and actions instead of just simplifying problems or making fights one sided. All the characters, no matter how small, are given small quirks or traits that make them unique and very recognizable. Kendra comes to really insightful realizations throughout the book, but it's not done in a way that beats you over the head with the knowledge; instead, it's done quietly and smoothly.
Definitely a good book and a solid way to begin this new "Island Summer" series. After I finished this, I didn't know how the second book could possibly top it....less
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New comment on K's review of
Twilight (Twilight Series, Book 1)
reply to this comment
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August 12
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Sara
gave
to:
The Squad: Killer Spirit (Mass Market Paperback)
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
bookshelves:
ya
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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read in August, 2008
Sara said:
"The second book in this series and another fun read. I still love the concept of cheerleaders doubling as government operatives.
The stakes in this book are higher than in the last one, and since the squad has already been established, etc., th...more
The second book in this series and another fun read. I still love the concept of cheerleaders doubling as government operatives.
The stakes in this book are higher than in the last one, and since the squad has already been established, etc., there is not as much need to set it up; the action starts almost immediately. I liked the plot about the girls tracking terrorist-connected individuals who have recently arrived in town, and there were funny moments that helped lighten a lot of scenes. The main character got a little irritating at times with her constant dislike for all things cheer-related (I would have thought she could just accept it as part of the job, since she likes the agent part so much!) but it wasn't enough to make me like the book any less.
There are still some unanswered questions after the end of this book, so I'm really hoping the author writes more in this series....less
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August 10
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Sara
gave
to:
Company (Paperback)
by Max Barry
bookshelves:
adult-fiction
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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read in August, 2008
Sara said:
"Parts of this book I really liked, but overall I thought it failed to live up to its full potential, which is disappointing.
The book opens with a guy named Jones getting a new position at a company named Zephyr. The company - and his department ...more
Parts of this book I really liked, but overall I thought it failed to live up to its full potential, which is disappointing.
The book opens with a guy named Jones getting a new position at a company named Zephyr. The company - and his department in particular - is completely dysfunctional, and Jones, who aspires to make something of himself and knows a little about business, is frustrated because he can't even figure out what the company does. He asks around, but everyone basically tells him it's not his concern. And then he stumbles onto the company's secret: it's not an actual company but a large testing ground of business techniques. For example, how would an office react when employees are randomly fired? Promoted? Rewards withheld? It's a great premise. I loved the characters, who are all completely ridiculous and seem to think that this sort of office behavior is normal; one guy spends pretty much the whole book stressing over the fact that someone ate his doughnut. The author does an excellent job showing how silly behavior at work can be and how sometimes things just don't make sense in a company.
For all I did like, I also thought that the author could have done so much more. Interspersed with the funny character-driven scenes about crazy happenings in the office, there are also drier bits about the company and how it operates. The ending wrapped things up fairly nicely, but it didn't feel really "settled" for me as much as I would have liked it. The humor is very dry, which is fine, but I felt like there were many missed opportunities for further jokes and poking fun at the office environment.
I did enjoy the book, though, and would pick up another book of the author's, especially since reviews seem to indicate some of his other works being even better. ...less
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