The Hunger Games

Liked these.

Pages: 374

Readers have inhaled these books, consuming the entire series in a matter of weeks, even days. This series creatively folds a layered plot with believable characters and such vivid and entertaining description, it's difficult to pull away from the pages.

According to this article by Publishers Weekly, Suzanne Collins got the idea for the novels by flipping between a reality show and war coverage on TV late one night. Mix those together and throw in a bit of Greek mythology and you've got The Hunger Games.

The reflection on our society is quite disturbing and definitely something to think about. CSI, Law and Order, Bones, Criminal Minds... I could go on. How much do we enjoy watching violence? There's also the government element of these books. How much do we allow "the Capital" to watch, regulate, or dare I say dictate what we do?

Pages: 391

...something to chew on.

While these books are highly popular among teens, maybe we should learn a lesson from the book and protect our innocent young. Not appropriate for the little ones.

Recommend: Yes
Read again: No, but I will definitely watch the movies when released
{Edit: I'm currently reading these again with my husband. :) -  31 May 2012}

* * *

Author: Suzanne Collins

Pages: 390

Awards: Many

Summary:

Katniss Everdeen is a girl from District 12, one of 12 districts subordinate to the ever-controlling Capital. To remind the districts of their subservient positions, the Capital holds The Hunger Games every year. These games require one boy and one girl from each district to battle to the death for viewing pleasure. Katniss volunteers to go into the games to save her little sister and ends up with a boyfriend and a national revolution to deal with.

The series takes you through two games and an epic battle with the oppressors.

The Road

Loved it.

Opinion:

As I already said, I loved this book. The images and lessons I devoured from the pages of The Road stayed with me for a very long time, and continue to influence my thought. This is a wonderfully vivid novel where the characters are reduced to nothing, and then forced to answer: "Are you one of the good guys?"

I work in the public school system, and, on a day I was heavily into this book, I happened to walk passed a boy who has some very wrong opinions about the world. My stomach churned, and I felt more than livid to hear his mouthy 14-year-old self shout the filthy words, "All Jews belong in ovens." And even more disgraceful, I know an adult had to of given him such an idea.

I couldn't help but reflect on my position in the world, and question whether or not I am a "good guy." If pushed to a state of desperation, who would I become? Would I have turned in my neighbors during WWII? Would I share my limited food? Would I kill another to help my own family? Is "good" during time of peace the same as "good" during time of catastrophe, or do we play by a different set of values and morels?

Still chewing on this one.

And yes, definitely cried at the end. Even thought I knew what was going to happen, I still cried.

Recommend: YES
Read Again: Maybe, one day

* * *

Author: Cormac McCarthy
Award: Pulitzer Prize

Summary:

The Road is a very emotional account of a young boy and his father struggling to survive in a postapocalyptic world. The walk together, often hand-in-hand or hand on gun and hand on shopping cart, down a road that leads to, well, hopefully somewhere good.

The father is sick, and the boy is sensitive. They struggle for food, and they are low on hope. They meet people along the way who try to take their lives or their food or both. And some people stoop low enough to eat other people.

All the while, the boy is trying to be a good guy. And the father is trying to remember that the reason they fight for life is love. 

Also a movie. Never seen it, so no comment for now.

Pages: 287

The Lacuna

Liked it.

Opinion:

Kingsolver receiving the Orange Prize

The Lacuna is quite a dense read, and it did take me several weeks to plow through. I had a love-hate relationship with the work, as my opinion of the story oscillated so frequently it was originally hard for me to know whether or not to recommend it.

This is my first taste of Barbara Kingsolver, and I would have to say I enjoyed her writing very much. She did a wonderful job of giving the characters incredibly distinct and personalized voices through style and word selection. I also enjoyed the collision of Mexican, Russian and American history through the eyes of both historical and fictionalized characters. In fact, my favorite section of the book portrayed an account the events surrounding Leon Trotsky's exile and murder.

I wouldn't say this is a good one to casually pick up before the kids get home, especially as you're just getting into the book. However, if you're looking for a well-written depiction of history, saturated in emotionally charged political activism, and you have the spare time, pick up The Lacuna.

Recommend: Sure
Read Again: No

* * *

Author: Barbara Kingsolver
Award: Orange Prize

Summary:

Because this entry has been sitting in my post bank for over a month, simply because I felt the summary of 528 pages to be an incredibly daunting task, I've decided to relinquish the responsibility of said task. If you're interested, here are a few reviews and summaries to give you a flavor of the novel:

Main Characters,  Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera

NPR

The New York Times

The Washington Post

Book Browse

enotes


Pages: 528

Shadow Tag

Okay.

Opinion:

This book came recommended to me. So I read it. It's a fairly quick read, only took me about a week.


Shadow Tag is definitely not one I'd suggest in my book group, more because of the sensitive personalities in the group than because of the quality of the book. But this work is food for thought.

I loved Louise Erdrich's ability to layer emotion, this gave her characters such human depth. The story itself is quite destructive--which left me with a rather bitter aftertaste--and overall, these pages contain a vulgar and violent depiction of a marriage falling to pieces. It's full of dirty, or rather, thick, rancid mud. But it's real. It's life.

Louise Erdrich

I'm still trying to formulate my opinion on authors who print their own names larger on the cover than the book title.


Recommend: Not personally, but others have. So, take that for what you will.
Read Again: No

* * *
Author: Louise Erdrich

Brief Summary:

Irene America discovers her husband is reading her red diary. With the status of their marriage being quite rocky, Irene is first hugely offended by this invasion of her privacy. However, before confronting her husband on the matter, she decides to use the situation to her advantage. She begins filling the diary with lies to manipulate her husband, all the while keeping an accurate account of her life and marriage in a blue notebook, carefully kept in her safe-deposit box at the bank.

The depth of their problems unfolds throughout the pages, depicting a relationship with deep foundational cracks--which Irene deems unfixable, while her husband, Gil, pleads love can heal.

Gil is an artist, made famous by his paintings of Irene. The images he creates range from soft, romantic scenes of his wife, to harsh, humiliating and blatantly pornographic depictions of her. He is angry, reactionary and abusive. But he feels he couldn't survive without his family.

Irene is an alcoholic, favors her children over her husband, and feels she no longer loves him. Her alcoholism is partially the reason she stays in the relationship. Firstly, because it helps her numb the pain, and secondly, because Gil used that against her, knowing it could keep her from gaining custody over their children if she left him.

They sacrifice for the life of the relationship by trying counseling at Irene's recommendation and gifts and surprises at Gil's.

Eventually, through the diary, Irene convinces Gil that she has been unfaithful, and their marriage comes to an end.

The last scene shows them together, demonstrating the ultimate sacrifice for one another.

In the end, everyone, especially the three kids, is incredibly messed up.

Pages: 255

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Very Sweet.

Opinion:

This is a darling little story about a pompous china rabbit coming to understand the true meaning of selfless love. The pages are full of wonderful descriptions and entertaining circumstances that  capture audiences both young and old.

Kate DiCamillo manages to infuse her work intended for children with such emotional depth, I felt my own understanding of love and giving grow as I shed a few tears for Edward Tulane. It's a very quick and easy read, but the affects are lasting and worth the time.

Recommend: Yes
Read Again: To my future children, absolutely

* * *

Author: Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Bagram Ibatoulline

Brief Summary (taken from the last page of the book):

Once, there was a china rabbit who was loved by a little girl. The rabbit went on an ocean journey and fell overboard and was rescued by a fisherman. He was buried under garbage and unburied by a dog. He traveled for a long time with the hoboes and worked for a short time as a scarecrow.

Once, there was a rabbit who loved a little girl and watched her die.

The rabbit danced on the streets of Memphis. His head was broken open in a diner and was put together again by a doll mender.

And the rabbit swore that he would not make the mistake of loving again.

Once there was a rabbit who danced in a garden in springtime with the daughter of the woman who had loved him at the beginning of his journey. The girl swung the rabbit as she danced in circles. Sometimes, they went so fast, the two of them, that it seemed as if they were flying. Sometimes, it seemed as if they both had wings.

Once, oh marvelous once, there was a rabbit who found his way home.

Pages: 200

Her Fearful Symmetry

Like.

Opinion:
I found this novel entertaining, but fairly slow paced for the most part. The last hundred pages of this four-hundred page work moved at a significantly faster rate of action and development; however, they also felt a little more predictable.

I loved the character development and Niffenegger's masterful ability to weave detailed stories within one plot.

Overall, I felt the story was very creative, captivating, and enjoyable.

Recommend: Yes
Read Again: No

* * *

Author: Audrey Niffenegger

Characters:
Valentina - twin sister of Julia; "mouse" by Julia; lover of Robert; daughter of Edie and Jack; has asthma attacks; naturally dislikes crowds and the general outside.
Julia - twin sister of Valentina; dominant twin; self-appointed caretaker of Martin; explorer by nature; less liked of the twins.
Robert - lover of Elspeth and Valentina; lives below Julia and Valentina; volunteer tour guide at Highgate Cemetery; historian.
Elspeth - twin sister of Edie; lover of Robert; real mother of Valentina and Julia; real name is Edwina (Edie); resides in London; dead (ghost).
Edie - twin sister of Elspeth; wife of Jack; acting mother of Valentina and Julia; real name is Elspeth; resides in America.
Jack - husband of Edie; father of Julia and Valentina.
Martin- husband of Marijke; suffers intense OCD and depression; friend of Julia; lives above Julia and Valentina; crossword puzzle maker; father of Theo.
Marijke - wife of Martin; mother of Theo; leaves Martin to reside in Amsterdam.
Theo - son of Martin and Marijke; friend of Julia.
Jessica - wife of James; friend and boss of Robert; manager of Highgate Cemetery.

Extra Brief Summary:
Twin sisters Valentina and Julia inherit the London flat of their aunt, Elspeth, after her death. However, there are stipulations: 1) the girls must live there together for one year before selling it; 2) no part of the inheritance can benefit Elspeth's sister and the girls' mother, Edie; 3) Edie and her husband Jack are not permitted to set foot in the flat or inspect its contents. The girls are nervous, especially Valentina, but leave their parents for an adventurous year in England.

During a short time of exploring their new home, Valentina's sensitive nature becomes aware of Elspeth's presence in the flat. At first the presence was just a feeling for Valentina, but as Elspeth strengthens her ghostly abilities she begins communicating with the girls, and her lover, Robert.

As time goes on, Valentina rebels against the dominate nature of her sister, Julia. The twins, who have dressed and behaved identically their entire lives, drift apart. Julia turns to caring for their upstairs neighbor, Martin, who's OCD drives him to obsessive cleaning. Valentina pursues a relationship with Robert, in spite of his being much older than her.

Julia gives Martin meds and tells him they're vitamins. She hopes he can become well enough to seek after his wife in Amsterdam who left him because of his problems.

Valentina also turns to her correspondence with Elspeth for comfort, and to attempt to discover their mother's hidden family secret. During one of their times together, Elspeth accidentally pulls Valentina's cat's soul out, but quickly returns it before permanently killing the cat. While this surprises both Elspeth and Valentina, Valentina turns to this power as the answer to her problems with Julia.

Valentina creates a plan where Elspeth with take her soul, and then with the help of Robert to retrieve her body will return her soul to her body after the funeral. Valentina hoped she could die in the eyes of her family, and they continue living without the oppressive supervision of her sister.

Although both Elspeth and Robert refuse initially, for their own reasons, they commit to follow through with the detailed outline of Valentina's plan of resurrection.

Elspeth takes Valentina's soul, causing her to die. Robert makes arrangements for her body.

Lost in the grief of what he's done and the fear of their plan being unsuccessful, Robert goes in search of answers from Elspeth's diaries--answers to the family secrets that had destroyed Elspeth and Edie's relationship years earlier.

In Elspeth's papers, Robert found a letter addressed to him written by Elspeth just before her death. She tells him her one secret.

When Elspeth and Edie were much younger, Elspeth was engaged to Jack, and man Edie highly disliked. To test Jack's ability to tell them apart and his commitment to her alone, Elspeth pretended to be Edie and came on to Jack under the name of her sister. Jack, although he saw through the game, played along with the switch and became romantically involved with "Edie," his own Elspeth. The joke goes so far, he marries Elspeth under her sister's name, and the girls continue to believe he doesn't know of their switch. However, one night, while drunk, Jack and the real Edie (Jack believing her to be his wife, and Edie being herself and not living her fake name "Elspeth.") sleep together, and she becomes pregnant with twins. Yet, because Jack is drunk, he does not remember this night and does not connect this as the reason for them switching after the wedding. To continue covering their false lives, the pregnant sister takes on the role of wife until the babies are four months old and the women switch back, still believing Jack to know nothing of their secret. In the end, the women spend the rest of their lives under their switched identities, one staying in London and the other moving to America to secure their secret, the babies never know their aunt to be their real mother, and Jack is left hurt not knowing the point of their life-long lie.

After discovering this, Robert shares the information with Jack.

Robert follows through with his responsibility pertaining to Valentina's body, and nervously anticipates the return of his lover, while simultaneously hating himself for being a participant in her death.

He takes her body to the flat for Elspeth to return her spirit. After gasps for air, Valentina appears to come back to life.

Shortly, Robert realizes it is not Valentina in the body, but Elspeth who placed herself inside Valentina's body.

Julia develops a healed relationship with Valentina's ghost and helps free her from the confines of the flat.

Martin successfully travels to Amsterdam, in spite of much anxiety.

Elspeth becomes pregnant, and shortly after the birth of the baby Robert disappears.

Pages: 401