Bunag's Books

The Well of Lost Plots

2010-04-22T10:48:00.000-07:00

The Well of Lost Plot s by Jasper Fforde is the third book in the Thursday Next series. Thursday is on a character exchange program, living inside an unpublished book while she waits out the trouble waiting for her at home - Goliath and SpecOps searching for her, her husband eradicated from time. In addition, her encounter with Aornis Hades (in the previous book) has begun to rob her of her own memories. Her mind seems to be erasing all that she has lived through. Now working as a bookjumper in the Jurisfiction department, Thursday must work to get her memories back, help fix plotholes, and eventually, search for a murderer in fiction. Read this book if you like strange alternative worlds, if you read the first two book, or if you're interested in metafiction. I give it a 7 out of 10.

Crank

2010-04-18T21:48:00.000-07:00

Crank by Ellen Hopkins is a story in verse meaning that the entire story is comprised of poems. It's the story of Kristina, a sixteen-year-old girl who goes to spend a summer with her father who she hasn't seen in years. While there, she meets a boy who she falls in love with after he introduces her to the "monster" - meth. Kristina, now calling herself Bree, becomes addicted to the monster and continues to get high even after she returns home to her normal life with a solid family, good friends, and a bright future. As she falls deeper into her addiction, Bree battles with Kristina about how to live her life and who she should become. The verses are a bit strange and disconcerting, and the story is depressing and graphic. Read this book if you like stories in verse, if you're interested in teenage drug use, or if you want to look like you read giant books (537 pages), but you want to finish it in one or two days. I give it a 6 out of 10.

The Diamond of Darkhold

2010-04-10T13:44:00.000-07:00

The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrau is the fourth, and final, book in the Series of Ember. It picks up where the second book left off, with the main characters, Lina and Doon, living in the village of Sparks. It has been a tough winter, and food is scarce. Some villagers are suffering from illnesses that can't be cured. The people of Ember are working on collecting materials to build new homes when the winter ends. When a roamer brings along a mostly destroyed book, Doon and Lina begin to question what happened to their old city. Is there something there waiting for them? Should they return? And what will the find when they get there? Read this book if you liked the first two, if you want to find out what happens to the people of Ember and Sparks, or if you like easy, quick reads. I give it a 7 out of 10.

Cut

2010-04-06T09:44:00.000-07:00

Cut by Patricia McCormick is written from the perspective of fifteen-year-old Callie who is in a girl's home or some sort of institution due to her habit of cutting herself. Although the novel is from her perspective, Callie does not talk at all during therapy or group or to her roommate. Callie learns about the other girls in her group, but doesn't seem able or willing to talk about herself until they threaten to remove her from the home because of her non-participation. She then has to decide if she really does want to get better or if she's fine continuing to cut herself and remain silent. Read this book if you like young adult fiction, if small, quick books are your favorite, or if you want to learn more about this strange phenomenon affecting young girls. I give it a 7 out of 10.

Lost in a Good Book

2010-04-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde is the second book in the Thursday Next series. It begins where The Eyre Affair left off, with Thursday now married to the love of her life, Landen. All seems to be going great now that Hades is dead and no longer a threat. However, someone still seems to be out to get Thursday. Is Hades actually dead? Is the mega-corporation, Goliath, involved? As Thursday tries to solve these mysteries, her husband suddenly disappears from time and space. Someone has been messing with history! Thursday fights to get her husband back while also learning to become a book jumper with Miss Havisham from Great Expectations as her teacher. So much to learn, so little time. Read this book if you liked the first one, if you enjoy alternate realities, or if you're interested in strange tales that keep you thinking. I give it an 8 out of 10.

Ender's Game

2010-04-05T15:10:00.000-07:00

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is a science fiction book set in an unknown future where an alien race known as Buggers has attempted to invade earth twice and seems to be prepared to invade once more. Children seem to be the only hope for survival as they are trained in the latest combat through games at Battle School. Six-year-old Ender Wiggin has been chosen to attend Battle School and seems to be the only hope for humanity. He must leave his family behind and learn quickly in order to lead the soldiers before the Buggers attack. Can Ender learn fast enough? Are the Buggers really coming? And why do the teachers seem to be messing with Ender's mind? Is it all just a game after all? Read this book if you like science fiction, if you like battle stories, or if you're interested in books about good and evil. I give it a 9 out of 10.

The Eyre Affair

2010-04-05T14:57:00.000-07:00

The Eyre Affair: A Thursday Next Nove l by Jasper Fforde is the first book in a series about Thursday Next, a special operative agent in an alternative version of 1985 England. Thursday works for the LiteraTec department that investigates mysterious happenings in the world of books and literature. In this first novel, Thursday must deal with a serial killer and general psycho, Hades, who seems to allude photographs, police, and reality. Thursday eventually follows Hades into Jane Eyre where she has to be careful to stay out of the story or change the novel forever. Will she survive Hades? Will she survive the book world? Read this book if you love Jane Eyre, if you like metafiction, or you're interested in suspense thrillers. I give it a 9 out of 10.

Jane Eyre

2010-04-05T14:46:00.000-07:00

J ane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is an English novel about a young orphan named, Jane. Jane lives with her horrible mean aunt and her annoying cousins. Her aunt treats her unfairly until she finally sends her to a boarding school that is highly religious and miserable to live at. Conditions eventually get better at the school, and Jane becomes a teacher there. One day, she decides to leave the school and become a governess in order to see more of the world. She becomes the employee of the mysterious Mr. Rochester and begins to think she might have feelings for him. However, there is something strange about the house, and Jane is not sure who or what exactly is living in the attic. Read this book if you like romance, if you enjoy mysteries, or if you like thick books with lots of symbolism. I give this book a 10 out of 10.

Inkheart

2010-04-05T14:31:00.000-07:00

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke is a young adult fantasy novel about a father and daughter, Mo and Meggie, who find themselves in a mysterious adventure when strangers show up at their house one night. Meggie is thoroughly confused, but her father seems to know more than he lets on. Meggie later finds out that her father can read characters out of books and has found himself in a bitter battle against an evil character from a book. In addition, his book reading skills have caused his wife to disappear into a book and he's been desperately trying to get her out ever since. Meggie and Mo find themselves in desperate danger as they try to figure out the mysteries of Mo's gift. Read this book if you like fantasy, if you've seen the film, or if father-daughter stories touch your heart. I give it an 8 out of 10.

The Fourth Bear

2010-04-05T14:07:00.000-07:00

The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde is the second book in his Nursery Crime series. It takes up where the first book left off, with Detective Jack Spratt on the case of Goldilocks, a news reporter for a local TV station. She has suddenly disappeared, and Jack suspects foul play, especially after meeting with the three bears in the woods. More difficulties are getting in his way as he has been suspended from duty, his wife is angry at him, and he is suspected of going insane. He must have his partner, Mary, work on the case while he tries to stay out of sight of his partner, Briggs. Read this book if you liked the first one, if you enjoy nursery rhymes, or if you like to laugh at books. I give this book an 8 out of 10.

The Big Over Easy

2010-04-05T11:09:00.000-07:00

The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde is the first book in Fforde's Nursery Crime series. Nursery Crime detective, Jack Spratt, is on the case of the death of Humpty Dumpty who was found smashed to bits near the back wall of his apartment. Jack has a new partner, Mary Mary, who is reluctant to join the Nursery Crime division. The two of them have pressure put on them by their boss, Briggs, as well as the star of the police department, Chymes. While most question their theory of murder, Jack and Mary must act quick in order to find the killer and keep their jobs. Read this book is you like Jasper Fforde, if your interested in metafiction, or if you've always enjoyed nursery rhymes. I give it an 8 out of 10.

So Yesterday

2009-09-22T12:13:00.001-07:00

So Yesterday by Scott Westerfeld is about the world of cool hunting. Hunter is one such cool hunter which means he finds Innovators, people who come up with new ways to be cool, and steals their style in order to spread the new idea of cool. When Hunter meets the Innovator, Jen, his world gets turned upside down as he is led on a chase to find his missing boss, discover the origin of some mysterious shoes, and uncover a conspiracy that goes deeper than he thought. While the beginning of the story seems somewhat interesting, the end of the story is anticlimactic and unimaginative. In general, the book is a giant disappointment from an author who shows promise in his other books. Read this book if you like letdowns, if you are interested in weird worlds that make you roll your eyes, or if you like predictable, boring reads. I give it a 2 out of 10.

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

2009-09-18T14:54:00.000-07:00

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith is the first in a series about Precious Ramotswe, the first lady detective in all of Botswana, Africa. After Precious lost her father, she used her inheritance to buy a home and a business. She doubts whether or not she will be able to stay open and have enough business to pay her bills, but she somehow manages to keep a steady flow of clients who seek her advice and detective skills. Several cases are solved in this first book, and the reader gains several bits of knowledge about Precious' life. Precious is such an endearing and honest character, that I couldn't help but fall in love with her and root for her along the way. Read this book if you enjoy detective stories, if you like stories with great main characters, or if you have seen the HBO series and want to read the fun, easy, and fast inspiration. I give it a 9 out of 10.

Go Ask Alice

2009-09-10T12:56:00.000-07:00

Go Ask Alice is a supposed real life diary of a fifteen year old girl and her descent into the world of drugs. Speaking to her "one true friend" (her diary) the teenager confesses that she enters into the world of drugs accidentally when slipped some acid at a party. From that point forward, the girl is hooked on various types of drugs that she gets from new friends. The journey follows her from her home to San Francisco and back. The words sometimes seem to come straight from the mouth of a teenager, while other times I started to wonder what teenager ever spoke with such eloquence. After reading some of the controversy online, I truly believe that this was never a real life diary. Find out for yourself, but beware the outdated feel of the book as it's from the 1960s. Read this book if you like diaries, if you enjoy reading teen fiction about drug use, or if you want to see for yourself if you think it's authentic. I give it a 6 out of 10.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

2009-09-04T15:26:00.000-07:00

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson is a thriller surrounding Mikael Blomkvist, a financial journalist who has recently dealt with a major blow to his career. He is asked to write the family history of a wealthy Swedish business family. However, the head of the family asks Mikael to secretly uncover the mystery of the disappearance of his favorite niece some forty years prior. With the help of Lisbeth Salandar (the girl whom the book is titled for), Mikael uncovers a strange world of family corruption and secrecy. The best parts of this thriller are those that surround the family and the parts involving Lisbeth. The frame story of Mikael dealing with legal trouble in the business world, quite frankly, is unnecessary and dull. Read this book if you like thrillers, if you're interested in the business world, or if you want a quick and dirty read. I give it a 6.5 out of 10.

When You are Engulfed in Flames

2009-07-16T14:00:00.000-07:00

When You are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris is a humorous collection of essays that pertain to death or dying. David recalls tales from his life and the people who have been a part of his life. The stories seem disconnected at first, but Sedaris seems to hold his stories together by a string of humor. My favorite story was the one about his cranky old lady neighbor. I also particularly enjoyed his recollection of his struggle to stop smoking. Read this book if you enjoy David Sedaris, you like humorous essays, or if you want to read quick and easy sections of a book. I give it a 7 out of 10.

Brisingr

2009-06-25T16:41:00.001-07:00

Brisingr by Christopher Paolini is the third book in the Inheritance Cycle. It follows Eragon's and Saphira's journey after their success during Battle of The Burning Plains. Eragon is faced with several choices as he struggles to fulfill the several duties and oaths he has taken on in the last two books. First, he must help his cousin, Roran, save Katrina from the Ra'zac. Then, he must follow Nasuada's demands for what she feels is right for the Varden. Eragon must decide who he is faithful to and what he must do in order to help bring down the evil king Galbatorix. The book was very well written and leaves the reader wanting to find out how the cycle ends in the fourth book (yet to be titled or released). Read this book if you like fantasy, if you read the first two books, or if you're interested in young adult fiction. I give it a 9 out of 10.

The Hours

2009-05-06T14:36:00.001-07:00

The Hours by Michael Cunningham follows the lives of three women during three different time periods. In 1920s London, Virginia Woolf begins thinking about writing her later famous novel Mrs. Dalloway. In 1949 Los Angeles, Laura Brown reads the novel while trying to come to terms with her suburban life that she can't seem to settle into. In present day New York, Clarissa Vaughan is planning a party for a dear friend. The book starts a little slow, but picks up when you want to discover how these three women are connected. Laura Brown's story, for me, was the most intriguing, but the end of the book really tied up loose ends that might have left me wondering. Read this book if you like books about women, if you like interconnected narratives, or if you're interested in books that are turning into films. I give it an 9 out of 10.

Twelve

2009-05-03T18:24:00.002-07:00

Twelve by Nick McDonell is a strange trip into the world of teenage drugs and sex in New York. The book is a series of narratives that follow characters that eventually end up connecting in an interesting way. The book reads quick and mostly follows White Mike, a clean drug dealing teen who experiences a lot in the few days that the book takes place. Read this book if you like quick reads, if you're interested in rough teen stories, or if you want a shock. I give it a 7.5 out of 10.

Mirror, Mirror

2009-05-03T18:24:00.001-07:00

Mirror Mirror by Gregory Maguire is a retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. It takes place in 16th century Tuscany and follows a loose historical reference to a family named Borgia. Bianca serves as Snow White, a beautiful girl who is left along on her father's estate when he is asked to go on an impossible mission for the Borgia family. The Borgia sister soon becomes jealous of Bianca and asks a hunter to kill her. The basic story of Snow White is here, but the history and the strange magical dwarves tend to bog the story down. Definitely not as good as Wicked. Read this book if you like retold fairy tales, if you're interested in historical fiction, or if you like strange stories. I give it a 7 out of 10.

The Soloist

2009-05-03T18:23:00.000-07:00

The Soloist by Steve Lopez is his memoir of his times with Nathaniel Ayers, a homeless man who has an amazing musical talent. Lopez is a columnist for the LA Times when he meets Ayers playing a broken violin on the streets of LA. Ayers pushes a full shopping cart around LA and practices his violin when he can. After some research, Lopez discovers that Ayers was a student at Juliard before being diagnosed with schizophrenia. Lopez begins a friendship with Ayers which is challenging and difficult most of the time, but very rewarding as well. Read this book if you like memoirs, if you like stories of friendship, or if you're interested in the film. I give it an 8 out of 10.

Their Eyes Were Watching God

2009-04-17T17:21:00.000-07:00

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston is about Janie Crawford, an African-American woman living in 1930s Florida. Janie tells the story of her life to her friend Phoeby, a story that involves three husbands. Only Janie's third husband, Tea Cake, shows her the true meaning of love and loss. Janie tells Phoeby in the end that one must ultimately know herself in order to know the world. The book includes heavy dialect that may be difficult for some to understand at first, but it's truly an intriguing story. Read this book if you enjoy Harlem Renaissance literature, if you want to read a story about a strong woman, or if you are interested in reading an American Literature classic. I give it a 9 out of 10.

Scrambled Eggs at Midnight

2009-04-17T17:16:00.000-07:00

Scrambled Eggs at Midnight by Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler is a story about young love told from two alternating perspectives: Cal and Eliot. Cal is fifteen and travels with her mom, a wench at Renaissance Fairs, from job-to-job. Eliot is fifteen and lives with his parents on a Christian fat camp for kids. When the two meet, they find that their love for each other can help them deal with their odd parents and strange circumstances. However, those very same things they need to deal with might keep the two of them apart. Read this book if you like teen romance, if you want a quick read, or if you like stories told from more than one perspective. I give it a 7 out of 10.

The Year of Magical Thinking

2009-04-17T17:14:00.001-07:00

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion is her memoir about the year following her husband's death. Joan and John were married several years when John died instantly of heart failure. At the same time, their grown daughter, Quintana, lies in a hospital bed with a serious illness. Joan describes this strange time when she must come to terms with her husband's absence. She reflects greatly on their marriage, their daughter, and the mysteries of grief. Read this book if you've lost a loved one, if you like books that follow the stream of consciousness, or if you want something depressing. I give it a 6 out of 10.

People of the Book

2009-04-09T20:18:00.000-07:00

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks is a series of interweaving stories about a mysterious Jewish text, The Sarajevo Haggadah. Hanna is an Australian book restorer and is asked to travel to Sarajevo in order to restore the text that has been missing for several years. As her own story is told, stories about The Sarajevo Haggadah are shared. As Hanna tries to discover where the book has traveled and with whom, the reader actually learns about the people's lives who have taken care of the book since it's creation. While the actual Sarajevo Haggadah is a real book, People of the Book is a fictional story. The intertwining stories, however, make the history of what might have happened to the book interesting and inspiring. Read this book if you're interested in religious history, if you like stories that begin with a mystery, or if you enjoy stories told from multiple perspectives. I give it a 9 out of 10.

The Devil Wears Prada

2009-04-04T19:02:00.001-07:00

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger is told through the words of Andrea, a new assistant to Miranda Priestly, the editor of Runway magazine. Andrea was never interested in fashion; in fact, she wants to write for The New Yorker, but she knows that working for Miranda for a year will get her any job she wants. Miranda is demanding, bossy, and arrogant. She asks Andrea to complete tasks that are next to impossible quicker than can be done. But, Andrea does everything asked of her. When her personal relationships begin to suffer because of all the time and energy spent at work, Andrea must decide if the perks of this job are worth the work. Definitely a fun and quick read with a lot of juicy gossip. Read this book if you like chick lit, if you want a quick, fun read, or if you watched the film. I give it an 8 out of 10.

The Reader

2009-03-29T11:01:00.000-07:00

The Reader by Bernhard Schlink is a story told by Michael Berg about an affair he had at fifteen with a woman twice his age in postwar Germany. His affair with Hanna is strong, passionate, and interesting. Michael also reads aloud to Hanna as he continues his studies in school. One day, Hanna mysteriously disappears. Michael does not see her again until years later when he is studying law and has a chance to follow a trial for Nazi war criminals. Hanna is on trial for something horrendous, and Michael must reconcile his image of his once lover and the woman in front of him now who refuses to defend herself. The book is utterly dripping with interesting insight into guilt, love, and the Holocaust. Read this book if you're interested in Holocaust history, if you enjoy impossible love stories, or if you've heard of the movie, but want to read the book. I give it an 8.5 out of 10.

A Lion Among Men

2009-01-02T17:22:00.001-08:00

A Lion Among Men by Gregory Maguire is the third volume in the Wicked Years series. The book takes a slightly different approach by following the life of the famous Cowardly Lion, Brrr. Now a Sir Brrr, he has been sent on assignment from the Emerald City to interview the mysterious Yackle, the old oracle that seems to have been around for much of the late Elphaba's life. As Yackle shares her story, Brrr recalls his own - a life that can only be classified as "always in the wrong place at the wrong time." The most interesting parts of this book are the sections that cross over into Elphaba or Liir's story, because we were left wondering from the first two books. This story ends in a very disappointing way, and one can only hope that a fourth volume will pick up the pieces where this left off. Otherwise, the book seems pointless all together despite the themes of fate, chance, and family. The rating could go up depending on if a fourth book is written. Read this book if you want to keep up with the Wicked series, if you like retold fairy tales, or if you're interested in the world of Oz. I give it a 6 out of 10.

Life of Pi

2008-12-27T16:22:00.000-08:00

Life of Pi by Yann Martel is the story of a young man from India, Pi who finds himself in a lifeboat in the Atlantic Ocean with only a tiger as a companion. When Pi's zookeeper father decides to move to Canada, the whole family finds themselves on a Japanese cargo ship with the animals they are selling to American zoos. When the cargo ship sinks, Pi finds himself alone on a lifeboat save a few animals who happened to swim aboard. Eventually, the only two remaining are Pi and a male tiger. Pi must learn not only how to survive while being lost at see, but how to master a tiger so as not to be eaten himself. Another interesting component to the story is that Pi considers himself a Christian, a Hindu, and a Muslim. He has many thoughts about God and religion that anchor his survival in difficult times. A few times the narrative can be monotonous as Pi explains what he exactly he has to do to survive. Read this book if you like stories steeped in thought, if you enjoy survival stories, or if you're interested in knowing if Pi survives and how. I give it a 7.5 out of 10.

Son of a Witch

2008-12-10T18:26:00.000-08:00

Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire is the second book in The Wicked Years. After the Wicked Witch of the West was killed by Dorothy's accident at her castle, Liir is left behind wondering if Elphaba was truly his mother of if he is destined to never know who his parents were. Several years later he is found alone, practically dead by a traveling party and is returned to the Mauntery where he was born. Unconscious and unaware of his surroundings, Liir is put into the care of a young novice who barely speaks but beautifully plays a strange instrument. As she plays for him, he relives the memories of his life from the day of the witch's fateful death to his injury that led him to this point. As more of Liir's life is revealed, the politics and religious tensions of Oz are brought forward. This wonderful second book in the series brings up more questions for the reader. Is fate a real force? Does our upbringing or our parentage matter in who we will become? What is identity and what decides it? Is there really a purpose in trying? This book was a fantastic follow up to Wicked and made me want to pick up the third, A Lion Among Men. Read this book if you read Wicked, if you love retold stories, or if you love a book that makes you think and leaves you wanting more. I give it a 9 out of 10.

Wicked

2008-12-05T20:14:00.001-08:00

Wicked by Gregory Maguire is the story of The Wicked Witch of the West. The story begins on the day Elphaba is born to a Unionist minister and a once heiress to the seat of Eminent Thropp of Munchkinland. Elphaba was cursed from the beginning as she was born with green skin. The story follows Elphaba's life as her family grows, adding a sister and a brother, and then shrinks, losing a mother. Elphaba enters college an outcast, but soon develops a passion for the understanding and rights of Animals, animals that have the power of thought and speech. Once she begins to understand that the Wizard of Oz has some dark plans for Animals, and eventually all of Oz, she takes on a mission against the man and his absolute power. Looking into this life of a well-known literary character beyond the surface of what we've been told about her begins to bring about deep, perhaps unanswerable, questions. What is good? What is evil? Who should have power? Who is right? Who is wrong? Are there really only the good guys and the bad guys? This book has taken a beloved children's story and turned it's history into a thought-provoking adult literary jewel. Read this book if you're interested in questions about good and evil, if you like retellings of classics, or if you enjoyed The Wizard of Oz and want to learn more. I give it a 9.5 out of 10.

The Looking Glass Wars: Seeing Redd

2008-11-29T13:41:00.001-08:00

The Looking Glass Wars: Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor is the second book in his trilogy chronicling the true story of Alice in Wonderland. In this book, Alyss has returned to power as the Queen of Wonderland after defeating her evil aunt, Redd Heart. Redd's whereabouts are unknown, but some suspect that she is somewhere on earth after travelling through the Heart Crystal. When forces begin an attack on Wonderland, many believe Redd is back. However, could it be that forces within the Wondernations are conspiring against Alyss? What about the mysterious King Arch who rules over Boarderland who has always hated the way women rule Wonderland? Or is Redd really back, ready to regain the thrown that she thinks she deserves? As Alyss and her forces unite against an unknown enemy, relationships between family members and lovers are revealed and put to the test. This book was definitely slower than the first one. I had a very difficult time getting through the first half of the book where background stories of several characters are being laid out. Read this book if you read the first, if you're interested in fantasy, or if you enjoy fractured fairy tales. I give it a 7 out of 10.

Extras

2008-11-07T12:17:00.000-08:00

Extras by Scott Westerfeld is the fourth book, and I believe final book, in his Uglies series. A new main character is introduced, Aya, who now lives in a world where your status in society depends on your popularity. One way to become very popular is to "kick" a new and interesting story on the city-wide feed. Aya thinks she has found her big story when she catches some mysterious girls doing dangerous tricks, but as she digs further, she realizes that there is a much larger story to tell that could potentially affect the future of the entire world. The book discusses several interesting issues, but the introduction of a new main character turns the series dull and pointless. He should have stopped at a trilogy. Read this book if you read the first three, if you like stories about an uncertain future, or if you want a quick read. I give it a 6.5 out of 10.

Twilight

2008-10-20T14:28:00.000-07:00

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer is the first book in the popular series of vampire novels about Bella and Edward. Bella is a junior in high school who moves to Forks, Washington to live with her dad. She meets a mysterious boy named Edward who is very different from anyone she has ever met. She notices that him and his siblings never eat, their eyes change color, they are very pale skinned, and they stay away from other students. However, Bella instantly falls in love with Edward, and once Edward begins talking to her, he falls in love with her as well. When Bella learns that Edward is a vampire, she must decide if her love is worth the risk. This book is very popular among teenagers and is a fast romantic read if not a bit cliche and cheesy. Read this book if you like romance novels, if you like books about vampires, or if you want to read the book before you watch the film. I give it 7 out of 10.

The Looking Glass Wars

2008-10-20T13:53:00.000-07:00

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor is the first in a trilogy of the "true" story behind Alice in Wonderland. Alyss Heart is a princess in the land of Wonderland. When her evil Aunt Redd decided to take the thrown, Alyss' parents are murdered, and she must escape through a porthole to another world. Alyss ends up in Victorian Oxford, and must assimilate to her new life as an ordinary little girl. Alyss must forget the world that she came from to make her life easier in our world. As she continues to live her life, a royal guard from her land searches for her in order to bring her back to Wonderland to claim the thrown. Meanwhile, in Wonderland, the citizens, thinking Alyss is dead, form an army to fight against Redd. The book is fast-paced and interesting as the readers learn what really happened to Alyss, not the horrible make-believe story written by Lewis Carroll. Read this book if you like fantasy, if you enjoy retold classic stories, or if you enjoy intense battles of good against evil. I give it an 8 out of 10.

Paper Towns

2008-10-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

Paper Towns by John Green is Green's third young adult fiction novel. In this book, Q is a high school senior in love with his mysterious next door neighbor, Margo. When Margo takes him on an all night adventure of revenge on her enemies, he believes things will be completely different between the two both at home and at school. However, when Q returns to school the next day, he realizes Margo is missing. Margo remains missing, but Q and his friends pick up on a trail of clues seemingly left for him to discover where Margo has disappeared to. This book has several literary references and borders between mystery and emo. Read this book if you enjoyed An Abundance of Katherines and Looking for Alaska, if you like mysteries, or if you want to keep up on the latest teen fiction. I give it an 8.5 out of 10.

Nectar in a Sieve

2008-10-20T13:30:00.000-07:00

Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya is a story told from the perspective of Rukmani, an Indian woman reflecting on her life. As a young woman, she was married to a poor farmer, a man she didn't even know. He is a wonderful husband, however, and together they raise their children and work hard on the farm that they rent. Troubled times come to haunt the family with the onset of foreigners, floods, and drought. Poverty leads to leaving, and starvation leads to death. The book comes full circle as Rukmani begins the story at the end and ends where she began. Read this book if you're interested in other countries and cultures, if you like stories about the bonds of love and family, or if you like to empathize with people in hard times. I give it an 8 out of 10.

Ties that Bind, Ties that Break

2008-09-22T11:00:00.000-07:00

Ties that Bind, Ties that Break by Lensey Namioka is a story about traditions being questioned. The main tradition in this case is the practice of foot binding in China. At a very young age, women in China were required to bind their feet by bending their toes down and wrapping them in bandages. As their feet tried to grow, the bones would be pressed together in order to create tiny, dainty looking feet that would fit into tiny, dainty shoes. This process cripples the young girls for life as they must learn how to hobble around on mutilated toes and feet. Ailin is a young girl who refuses to have her feet bound. As her father obeys her wishes, Ailin faces consequences that she could not have predicted. Her choice changes her life forever. Read this book if you're interested in historical fiction, if you like stories about traditions being questioned, or if you just want a quick, easy read to keep you occupied for a few hours. I give it an 8 out of 10.

Freakonomics

2008-09-22T10:53:00.000-07:00

Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner attempts to bring to light the answers to several strange questions in society. They define economics as the study of reality, and take several factors into consideration when answering questions such as "Why do crack dealers still live with their moms?" The answers to these questions are quite shocking considering the information, and the book is interesting to read because of this information. Read this book if you like the study of society, if you're interested in getting to know more about the way our society works, or if you like books that attempt to answer the strange questions in life. I give it an 7 out of 10.

Sold

2008-09-22T10:45:00.000-07:00

Sold by Patricia McCormick is the story of Lakshmi, a thirteen-year-old Nepalese girl. Thinking that she is going to work in the city as a maid, Lakshmi is excited at the prospect of helping her poor family by sending home her income. She soon realizes, however, that she has been sold as a sex slave by her own stepfather, and the prospect of ever returning home is very dim. Lakshmi must undergo the terrible humiliation of becoming a prostitute at a young age which means learning how to become a different person. The book is written in a series of short verse rather than prose which makes the book easy and fast to read. Read this book if you want to learn about a terrible tragedy happening right now in our world, if you are interested in a short, easy to read book, or if you want to keep up on the current young adult fiction. I give it an 8.5 out of 10.

The Mermaid Chair

2008-08-01T16:10:00.000-07:00

The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd is a novel of a married woman coming to terms with her self as an individual. She returns to her home on Egret Island, South Carolina when her mother begins to have a psychological meltdown. While there, she meets a monk she falls in love with, tries to determine what is bothering her mother, and connects with her past in a deeply spiritual and personal way. Read this book if you liked The Secret Life of Bees by the same author, if you like books about women searching for self, or if you want a fun, easy, romantic read. I give it an 8 out of 10.

To Kill a Mockingbird

2008-07-26T15:43:00.000-07:00

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is the story of Scout Finch and her family. Scout is growing up in the South in the 1930s with her brother, Jem, and her father, Atticus. Atticus is a lawyer who has taken on an extremely controversial case against a black man. Scout and Jem are caught up in the middle of the case while trying to have fun as kids. Meanwhile they are also attempting to discover their hermit neighbor, Boo Radley. Read this book if you love classic American literature, if you like a good law drama, or if you enjoy a mystery. I give it a 10 out of 10.

The Prophet of Yonwood

2008-07-13T13:49:00.000-07:00

The Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne DuPrau is the prequel to The City of Ember. It follows a girl named Nickie who travels to Yonwood, North Carolina with her aunt in order to sell her great-grandfather's large house. This town has recently had interesting events occurring including the vision of a prophet about a fiery future. The town now follows the prophet's mumblings as it attempts to create good in a world seemingly headed for disaster. This book is not nearly as good as the other two. It rambles on about disconnected events and stories that don't really add up until a final, last minute chapter that summarizes many years and tries to connect this story with the other Ember books. Read this book if you are reading the series, if you are interested in stories about blind faith, or if you are planning on reading the other two books and want to get the crappiest one out of the way first. I give it a 6 out of 10.

The People of Sparks

2008-07-12T19:47:00.000-07:00

The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau is the sequel to The City of Ember. Lina and Doon await the arrival of the rest of the Emberites to the new place they have found. They then come upon a tiny town known as Sparks whose citizens are at first willing to help the Emberites at least until they are able to live on their own in a few months. However, as tensions rise between the two groups of people, war seems imminent, and it's possible that the horrors of humans that destroyed the world and the population years ago might rise again. Read this book if you want to know what happens after The City of Ember, if you're interested in questions about human relations, or if you just enjoy a good, short, easy-to-read book. I give it an 8 out of 10.

The City of Ember

2008-07-05T23:34:00.000-07:00

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau is a novel about Lina and Doon, twelve-year-olds living in a city called Ember, a place that is lit by large lights all over the city. Ember seems to have fallen on some hard times, however, and blackouts are becoming more and more frequent. When this happens, pure blackness swallows all of Ember. No one has ever left Ember as the unknown regions are also full of complete darkness. Doon suspects that he might be able to help the city of Ember, and begins to search the generator that runs all of Ember's electricity. As times seem to be getting worse, Lina discovers a clue that might help them escape. Lina and Doon must work together in order to figure out how to save Ember before it's too late. Read this book if you like mysteries, if you're interested in novels that take place in a strange future, or if you enjoy book series. I give it an 8 out of 10.

The Handmaid's Tale

2008-07-02T17:13:00.001-07:00

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood is a dystopian novel about a woman who is stripped of her rights and her family when a powerful religious male-centered organization takes over the United States. Women are gathered up, re-educated, and assigned to positions in society. Offred's daughter is taken from her, and she is eventually assigned as a handmaid which means that she lives with a Commander and his wife. Her duties are to do the shopping and to become pregnant by the Commander in order to bear him and his wife a child. The birthrate has declined over the years, and this is he way the new government decides to take care of the problem. The novel is written from Offred's point of view as she details her daily life as a handmaid and the history of her own life that led her to this point. Learning about the society little-by-little through Offred's words is enticing and makes the book a page turner. Read this book if you enjoy dystopian novels, if you like novels written from the first-person perspective, or if you want to see what our society would be like without women's rights. I give it a 10 out of 10.

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume 1: The Pox Party

2008-06-29T12:57:00.000-07:00

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume 1: The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson is a strange tale set in the pre-Revolutionary colonies. Octavian is a young boy whose mother was a princess in Africa. They both now live in Boston among men constantly conducting experiments. Octavian has the finest of educations, and is a beautiful violin player. As the Revolutionary War approaches, Octavian becomes aware of his real purpose in this strange house with these strange men. Several turning of events take place throughout the book which change Octavian's circumstances and thoughts. The book is written in the form of letters and journal articles and all in the voice of pre-Revolutionary English which can make it difficult to follow. Read this book if you're interested in historical fiction, if you like books that are written in interesting prose, or if you like difficult books that have big vocabulary words. I give it a 7 out of 10.

Dear Jane Austen: A Heroine's Guide to Life and Love

2008-06-22T13:40:00.001-07:00

Dear Jane Austen by Patricia Hannon is a work of fiction in which Jane Austen answers "Dear Abby" like letters from her female fans. The book opens with Jane's running commentary on her day along with conversations with people who visit her. Between these conversations, she takes the time to answer questions from fans about what it means to be a woman in the twenty-first century in terms of love and life. Using examples from her famous novels, Jane explains that women should be independent. Honestly, I didn't even get past the first chapter of the book. I feel this book is meant more for people who are very familiar with Austen's novels. I've only read Pride and Prejudice many years ago. Therefore, the constant references to her stories and characters were more annoying and drawn out than inspiring and reminiscent. I had to put the book down, because it wasn't holding my attention one bit. Reading shouldn't feel like a chore. Perhaps I'll return to it one day after I've read more of Austen's novels. Read this book if you're familiar with Austen's works, if you're interested in biographical fiction, or if you are studying Austen in school. I give it a 3 out of 10.

The House of the Scorpion

2008-06-11T12:51:00.001-07:00

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer is a young adult sci-fi novel about Matt, a young boy who finds out he's the clone of the wealthiest and most powerful drug lord in the world. El Patron runs an entire country called Opium which sits between the United States and what used to be Mexico. El Patron loves Matt, and, even though clones are usually treated as disgusting livestock, gives Matt a quality education and showers him with love. Matt later finds out the real purpose for his existence and struggles with what he shall do in order to escape his terrible destiny. Matt comes to realizations about the world, about people, and about himself. Read this book if you like sci-fi, if you enjoy coming of age novels, or if you're interested in books that might give you a scary glimpse of the future. I give it an 8 out of 10.

This Lullaby

2008-06-11T12:45:00.001-07:00

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen is a teenage love story centered around newly graduated from high school Remy. She is so ready to tie up any loose ends at home the summer before she heads off to Stanford for college. This includes dumping her boyfriend, finish planning her mother's wedding, and spending time with her three best friends. While she gets all of this done, an unexpected "summer boyfriend" named Dexter comes along and screws with Remy's plans to leave her home without ever looking back. Remy's cynical take on relationships and love center around her mother's five failed marriages, and her father's only attempt to reach her through a sappy one hit wonder titled "This Lullaby." Remy must decide if her faith in love can be restored of if she can continue living her life as if she doesn't care. Read this book if you like chick lit, if you enjoy love stories, or if you're a sap for happy endings. I give it a 6.5 out of 10.

Cry, the Beloved Country

2008-05-31T19:44:00.001-07:00

Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton is set in South Africa during a politically difficult time for the "natives" as they are called by the white men in charge of the government and businesses. It's the story of Stephen Kumalo, a native priest, who goes on a journey to a "big city" to find his sister and his son both of whom have not written or returned from the alluring city. What he finds there is a broken system set on keeping the natives ignorant and poor while the white men make profits off their labor. The book follows Kumalo's discovery of his broken family and his broken country. When he finally returns, he sees the need to amend the tribal problems that have been growing for quite some time. This book is a slow read, but the characters grow in your heart and the words resonate with your thoughts. Read this book if you're interested in race relations, if you enjoy historical fiction, or if you have time to sit with a book for awhile. I give it an 8.5 out of 10.

Speak

2008-04-27T15:42:00.001-07:00

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson follows Melinda's first year in high school. The summer before this year, she attended a party where she eventually called the cops. This action made her lose all of her friends, and she now enters high school as a lonely, quiet girl. As the school year continues, Melinda shares her thoughts and feelings in her own words and begins to explain how and why she closes in on herself eventually choosing barely to speak at all. Soon Melinda shares why exactly she called the cops that night at the party, and the reader begins to acknowledge the pain that she has been through. Read this book if you like stories told by the main character, if you like young adult fiction, or if you like interesting female protagonists. I give it a 9 out of 10.

The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing

2008-04-23T21:46:00.000-07:00

The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank is a sort of loose collection of short stories centering around the same character: Jane Rosenal. The stories begin with Jane as a teenager dealing with her family and her older brother's relationship. Other stories follow Jane's relationships with men, with friends, and with family members. Each story stands out on its own, but together they form an overarching story of Jane as a modern woman searching for who she is as a single woman, a career woman, a dating woman, a young woman, and a family woman. The only story that stands out is a story about Jane's neighbors where she does not even make an appearance. The story is warm, complicated, and endearing, but just doesn't seem to fit in this novel about an interesting woman who is just trying to survive in life. Read this book if you like chick flicks, if you like a book you can pick up and read small snippets from, or if you're interested in stories with complicated and real woman as the protagonist. I give it a 7.5 out of 10.

Rosie

2008-04-19T23:53:00.001-07:00

Rosie by Anne Lamott is a mother-daughter tale that illustrates the struggles and joys of young, single motherhood. Elizabeth and her daughter, Rosie, live near San Francisco. Elizabeth is a beautiful widow who is beginning to realize that she drinks too much and distances herself from others. Rosie is an energetic four-year-old wise beyond her years. Elizabeth and Rosie need each other in more ways than one, and their story is loving, tender, and sometimes even heartbreaking. Read this book if you like mother-daughter stories, if you like chick flicks that aren't trash, or if you enjoy a story that you can relate to. I give it an 8 out of 10.

The Secret Life of Bees

2008-04-03T18:54:00.001-07:00

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd is Lily's story. She is a fourteen-year-old girl growing up in 1950s South Carolina with no mother, a mean father, and a terrible guilt riding on her shoulders. When Rosaleen, her black nanny, finds herself in jail, Lily finds a way to free them both while searching for answers about her mother. Their search lands them on a beekeeping farm run by three sisters - August, June, and May. The sisters teach Lily more than she could have imagined including the mystery of the Black Mary, Jesus' mother. Lily knows she can never be the same, and neither will you. Read this book if you love strong women, if you like stories infused with a sense of time and place, or if you've heard about the filming and you want to read the book first. I give it a 9 out of 10.

Seven Daughters and Seven Sons

2008-03-22T11:38:00.001-07:00

Seven Daughters and Seven Sons by Barbara Cohen and Bahija Lovejoy is a retelling of a classic Iraqi folktale passed down orally since the eleventh century. The story is about Buran, the daughter of a poor merchant who was "cursed" with having seven daughters. Buran's rich uncle, however, was blessed with having seven sons which means that they are able to go out into the world and successfully bring income back to the family. Buran decides to help her own family by disguising herself as a man and launching on a trip to become a successful merchant. While Buran predicted that she would be absolutely successful in business, she could not have guessed that she would fall in love. However many risks Buran has taken in her life to help her family, she is unwilling to risk losing her friend who could become her lover, so she returns to her family. Read this book if you're interested in classic folktales, if you like fairy tale elements, or if you're interested in Middle Eastern Culture. I give it an 8 out of 10.

Practical Magic

2008-03-07T20:51:00.001-08:00

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman is the story of two sisters, Sally and Gillian Owen, who couldn't be more different. When the girls' parents die, the girls must move in with their strange aunts who live in a large, creepy house and meddle in the love lives of women in the town. Sally and Gillian grow up being taunted by the other children in the town for being strange and weird. Everything that goes wrong is always blamed on the Owens' girls. When they get older, spirited and carefree Gillian runs off with a man while practical and sensible Sally stays behind to raise a family. When Sally's husband dies, she takes her two daughters (also very different from each other) to New York in order to allow them to live a normal life. When something terribly wrong happens to her sister, everything that Sally has worked for in New York might be at risk. I picked up this book, because I loved the film so much. I would have to say that the film was better (for once) and the changing of verb tense in the book drove me a little insane (maybe just cause I'm an English major). All-in-all a fun, quick read. Read this book if you like magical realism, if you like stories about sisters, or if you're interested in a quick, fun read. I give it a 6.5 out of 10.

The Translator: A Tribesman's Memoir of Darfur

2008-02-24T23:11:00.001-08:00

The Translator by Daoud Hari is the memoir of a translator for reporters traveling into Darfur. From Darfur himself, and a member of the same people that are being slaughtered in the genocide there, Hari experienced the destruction of his own village. Hari hauntingly describes the way people are being slaughtered simply because of who they are. Being educated and speaking three languages, Hari decided to become a translator and used his skills to help many people spread the story of what continues to happen in our world...the thoughtless slaughtering of innocent human beings. Hari's ultimate plea is to open your heart and do what you can to help, beginning with writing your government officials. Read this book if you're interested in world events, if you enjoy reading memoirs, or if you want to learn more about this horrible atrocity that is taking place right now. I give it a 10 out of 10.

Everlost

2008-02-08T20:46:00.000-08:00

Everlost by Neal Shusterman is a young adult novel about Nick and Allie, two teenagers who have died and found themselves in the mysterious land of Everlost. Everlost exists on the earth where they once lived, but there are strange rules that they must learn and live by. For example, if they stay in one place for too long, gravity will pull them to the center of the earth. Nick and Allie begin an adventure into this unknown world where nothing is quite what it seems. Read this book if you like science fiction, if you're interested in young adult literature, or if you want to go on an interesting adventure with complex characters. I give it a 7.5 out of 10.

Memoirs of a Geisha

2008-02-03T16:02:00.000-08:00

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden is the beautiful story of the life of a Japanese geisha, Sayuri. As the narrator of her own story, Sayuri shares her story as leads to the life of a geisha including all of the hardships, hopes, and happiness that can come along with that life. Sayuri's words are beautiful as she describes how she became a geisha, what it means to be a geisha, and what being a geisha has led her to. What is most surprising about this book is that the author is male and American but that he writes so vividly and accurately through the eyes of a woman in another time and place. In the end, you know Sayuri so well that you are rooting for her so profoundly that you almost wish she could hear your words of advice. Read this book if you want to learn about Japanese culture, if you like books that make you think, or if you love character studies. I give it a 9.5 out of 10.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

2008-01-25T17:31:00.000-08:00

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne is the story of Bruno, a nine-year-old boy who lives in Berlin in the 1940s. Bruno's family has to move because of his father's job as a soldier, and Bruno is not too happy about it. At his new home, Bruno comes face-to-face with a mysterious fence that contains many people wearing the same striped pajamas. One day, Bruno meets a boy his age that lives on the other side of the fence. This story is heartbreaking in its portrayal of ultimate evil and ultimate innocence. You simply must pick it up if you want to know what happens next. Read this book if you are interested in the Holocaust, if you like stories told from a unique perspective, or if you have heard that they are making the film and want to read the book first. I give it a 9 out of 10.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

2008-01-19T11:04:00.000-08:00

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon is the story of a 15-year-old boy, Christopher, in England who finds his neighbor's dog murdered in her yard and decides to investigate the murder. What makes this story a more than average mystery is that the young man is autistic and narrates the entire book. As a reader, you get to view the thoughts of a boy who has autism which means that the story is very interesting to read. Christopher knows all the prime numbers and therefore, labels the chapters with them. He hates yellow, so he knows that if he sees four yellow cars in a row, it's going to be a black day which means he won't eat or talk to anyone. Christopher's world is fascinating and engaging to the reader. Once you get to a certain point in the story, you won't want to put the book down. Read this book if you're interested in autism, if you like mysteries, or if you're interested in a book that's different but fascinating. I give it an 8 out of 10.

The Trouble with Poetry

2008-01-10T10:55:00.001-08:00

The Trouble with Poetry by Billy Collins is a collection of beautiful poems by the former U.S. Poet Laureate. Collins is definitely a "poet for the people." His poetry is simple and easy to understand but so beautiful and truthful all at the same time. This is a book you can pick up and read one poem from in order to get so much from a quick read. Read this book if you love poetry, if you don't understand poetry but want to, or if you love the beauty of language. I give it a 10 out of 10.

The Alchemist

2008-01-02T14:34:00.001-08:00

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is an amazing story about a young Spanish Shepherd who decides to pursue his own "Personal Legend." Along the way he meets people who help him learn lessons about listening to his heart and learning about the soul of the world. This book is highly spiritual but in a way I could connect with on a personal level. Coelho uses beautiful and simple language to portray the ultimate lesson that we all need to listen to our hearts in order to live life to the best of our abilities. Read this book if you like books about spirituality, if you enjoy reading about other cultures or other time periods, or if you want a quick read with deep meaning. I give it a 10 out of 10.

The Notebook

2007-12-27T19:25:00.001-08:00

The Notebook by Nicholas Spar ks is a sappy love story best described as book candy. It's sugary and sweet but doesn't really offer any real content. The book offers a sweet love story told by an aging man in a retirement home. The frame story is a little sappy and lame, but I mostly enjoyed the love story that he told. This book is fun, but definitely not life changing or awe inspiring. Read this book if you like sappy love stories, if you saw the film, or if you just want something quick and easy to read. I give it a 6 out of 10.

The Amber Spyglass

2007-12-20T21:10:00.001-08:00

The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman is the third and final book in His Dark Materials trilogy. It's also the longest book in the trilogy. The book brings the story of Lyra and Will to a somewhat disappointing and heartbreaking conclusion. Disappointing because you don't learn everything you want to learn and heartbreaking because what you want to happen doesn't happen. The book starts slow with so many story lines and characters to follow but wraps up all together too quickly when all the stories and characters collide. Read this book if you read the first two, if you like sci-fi/fantasy, or if you're interested in books about philosophical questions. I give it an 8.5 out of 10.

The Subtle Knife

2007-11-23T22:52:00.000-08:00

The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman is the second book in His Dark Materials trilogy. In this book, the characters can move between worlds including the world that we, the readers, live in. A great battle is about to be waged, and Lyra's journey has taken a turn. She has met Will Parry, a boy from our world, and together they must travel towards their destiny that could quite possibly be linked beyond their understanding. Read this book if you read the first, if you enjoy mystery and intrigue, or if you like to read a book that you can't put down. I give it a 9 out of 10.

The Golden Compass

2007-11-21T21:55:00.000-08:00

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman is the first book in Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. The story takes place in a world very similar to ours but also very different. Lyra, a young girl growing up at Oxford under the care of scholars, is taken onto a strange and curious adventure when she must leave Oxford in the care of a beautiful, mysterious woman. Her adventure will take her far north to a land of fighting bears, clans of witches, and scientific experiments. Lyra doesn't know it yet, but her destiny is somehow wrapped up in her journey to the north, but she must discover that destiny by herself. The fast-paced action creates a story that you can't put down because you really, really want to know what's next...in fact, I already have the next book to pick up and read. Read this book if you love fantasty, if you're looking forward to the film and want to read the book first, or if you've heard the controversy but want to learn the facts straight from the source. I give it an 8.5 out of 10.

When the Emperor Was Divine

2007-11-17T22:47:00.001-08:00

When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka is a beautiful story of a Japanese family deeply impacted by the Pearl Harbor bombing during World War II. Written from the perspective of the different members of the family, the book describes their life being placed into an Internment Camp. It remembers a time in our country's history that is often dismissed or brushed over. What makes the book so beautiful is it's poetic language. The sentences are short and sweet, but all together they create a story that will touch any reader. Read this book if you want to learn more about this time in our country's history, if you're interested in family stories, or if you like books that can say so much with so few words. I give it a 9 out of 10.

I Am the Messenger

2007-11-03T19:53:00.000-07:00

I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak is the story of Ed Kennedy, a twenty year old Australian who lives out his days driving a cab, hanging out with his stinky dog, and playing cards with his three best friends. His life suddenly changes when he stops a bank robber and begins to receive mysterious messages in the mail that require him to deliver his own messages to anonymous individuals. Ed's role as the messenger takes his life in an odd and inspiring direction. The message, ultimately, is the book. You have to read it to find out what that message is. Read this book if you like mysteries, if you are interested in the idea of random acts of kindness, or if you like to read young adult fiction. I give it a 9 out of 10.

Interpreter of Maladies

2007-10-27T16:55:00.001-07:00

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri is a book of short stories about various Indian people. The connecting thread between each story seems to be an element of love. Some are searching for love, some are adjusting to a new love, some are discovering a loss of love. Each story gets to the heart of its characters. Lahiri knows how to develop stories that pull at heartstrings and make the reader mourn for the characters. All of the stories, except one, resonate with a deep sadness that can begin to feel overwhelming. The last story, however, saves the reader from sorrow by offering hope and happiness. Read this book if you liked Lahiri's novel The Namesake, if you enjoy short stories, or if you are looking for a quick read with deep meaning. I give it a 9 out of 10.

The Memory Keeper's Daughter

2007-10-21T14:40:00.000-07:00

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards is the story of a family struggling against a secret that has changed their lives significantly. When the young couple drove to the clinic on a snowy night to deliver their child, they never imagined that they would be blessed with twins. However, the father recognizes that the baby girl has down syndrome, and, wanting to spare his wife from unnecessary pain, asks the nurse to take the baby to an institution. He then tells his wife that the baby girl was born dead. The nurse, however, decides to leave town and raise the baby as her own. The novel follows the lives of all the individuals involved as they struggle with this event. The book lapses over two decades to describe what happens to people when secrets are told and kept. Read this book if you like love stories, if you're interested in family dramas, or if you enjoy best sellers. I give it an 8 out of 10.

Specials

2007-10-10T14:05:00.000-07:00

Specials by Scott Westefeld is the third book in the Uglies series. The book follows the life of Tally Youngblood after she receives a surgery to become a Special citizen. Once again, Tally's world is turned upside down after she learns something about the surgery and the world she lives in. The book nicely ends what was supposed to be a trilogy, but Westerfeld has decided to continue the series with a next book called Extras. Read this book if you're wondering what happens next in the series, if you love dystopian novels, or if you want to read a subtle commentary on war. I give it an 8.5 out of 10.

For a review of the previous book, Pretties, click here.

Eldest

2007-09-29T09:42:00.001-07:00

Eldest by Christopher Paolini is the second book in the Inheritance Trilogy. The first book, Eragon tells of a boy who finds a mysterious rock. Later the rock hatches into a dragon and Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, must journey to new lands in order to save their empire from the terrible and corrupt king, Galbatorix. The second book follows his adventures across the lands. In this book he heads to the land of the elves in order to train to become the ultimate Rider. The book ends in a fierce battle that will definitely be picked up in the third book (when it is actually published). What I enjoyed about this book was that the first book was written when the author was fifteen. The second book definitely shows his maturity as a writer. Also, the book switches back and forth between Eragon's story and the story of his cousin, Roran. This makes for good reading when you have a short amount of time to read a day. Read this book if you love fantasy, if you read Eragon and want to find out what happens next, or if you saw the (completely horrible) film based on the first book and want to see a much, much better version. I give it an 8.5 out of 10.

The Attack

2007-09-01T13:01:00.000-07:00

The Attack by Yasmina Khadra is the story of a Muslim doctor who lives in Israel. As a prominent member of society, Dr. Jaafari has cast aside his Muslim background in order to be accepted by the Jewish community. His wife, as well, has assimilated to the culture and enjoys the rich life that the doctor has established. When his wife dies in a suicide bombing, however, Dr. Jaafari begins to search for answers. There is a possibility that his wife was not merely a victim, but was indeed the suicide bomber herself. At first, I thought this book would be predictable, but the ending really surprised me. Read this book if you're interested in world affairs, if you question the pointless struggle between religions, or if you enjoy a good mystery. I give it an 8 out of 10.

The Bell Jar

2007-08-18T23:28:00.000-07:00

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath is a mostly autobiographical novel. Esther, the main character, is a young woman who finds herself sinking into a deep depression after returning home from an internship in New York. After a suicide attempt, Esther enters an asylum where she must figure out what she wants from life. Knowing Sylvia Plath's history, it is easy to understand why this book is autobiographical. Names have been changed, but events and feelings have not. Esther's despair feels real and raw. Read this book if you love Plath's poetry, if you like The Catcher in the Rye but want to read about a female character with the same tone, or if you are interested in stories about mental illness. I give it an 8.5 out of 10.

Slaughterhouse-Five

2007-08-14T09:36:00.000-07:00

Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut is a self-proclaimed "anti-war" novel about a man named Billy Pilgrim who was a Prisoner of War in Dresden during WWII. The book mixes real history with science fiction. Vonnegut himself was a POW in WWII during the bombing of Dresden. What makes this book a science fiction novel is the fact that Billy Pilgrim is "unstuck in time" which means that he often finds himself traveling through time to other parts of his life. Also, Billy Pilgrim is abducted by aliens and kept in a zoo on their planet. During his time on the alien planet, he learns about their views on time and war. The novel, written during the Vietnam War, really captures the absurdity of war while also making statements about how humans choose to live their lives. Read this book if you like science fiction, if you like anti-war novels, or if you are interested in some WWII history, particularly the bombing of Dresden. I give it a 7.5 out of 10.

The Children's Story

2007-08-11T21:42:00.000-07:00

The Children's Story by James Clavell is a very short story about an incident in a classroom. It is revealed that the students are being re-educated by some unknown foreign power that has invaded America. The book raises questions about our current school situation and what can happen when young minds are introduced to new ideas. Read this book if you like stories of dystopia, if you have a spare ten minutes, or if you question how students are learning. I give it a 7 out of 10.

Middlesex

2007-08-10T09:29:00.000-07:00

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides is the story of Callie, a young girl who comes from a Greek family. At the age of fourteen, Callie becomes Cal after a doctor reveals that she was actually born a male. Cal narrates the entire book as he traces his life which begins, not at his birth, but at the beginning of his grandparents' romance. This family history is captivating because of the secrets and lies that one family can possess. Cal's struggle with his identity is rooted in these secrets and lies. Read this book if you love sweeping family histories, if you're interested in some Turkish/Greek history, or if you can't get enough drama from the soap operas. I give it an 8 out of 10.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

2007-08-05T10:36:00.001-07:00

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling is the seventh, and final, book in the fantastical Harry Potter series. Rowling attempts to tie up all the strings that she has left hanging in previous books. The book is long and at times I felt like it was dragging on simply to make the book longer than the previous one. However, fans of Harry Potter will not be disappointed with Rowling's conclusion to the much-loved series. I don't want to ruin it for anyone, so I'll leave it at that. Read this book if you're a fan of Harry Potter, if you love fantasy, or if you simply want to see what all the hype is about. I give it a 9.5 out of 10.

The House on Mango Street

2007-08-01T19:58:00.000-07:00

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros is a collection of vignettes told from the perspective of Esperanza, a young girl growing up in the Latino section of Chicago. The short, poetic pieces offer a colorful collection of characters and events. The writing may be hard for some to understand at first, but the language is so beautiful, many of the vignettes could be read as poems. While the stories seem to be disconnected, by the end of the book you have a portrait of Esperanza's life which is ultimately framed by her longing to leave Mango Street, because she knows that she does not belong there. Read this book if you love the beauty of poetic prose, if you are interested in social issues (including poverty and prejudice), or if you are a woman wanting to remember what it was like to be a young girl trying to become something. I give it a 9 out of 10.

A Thousand Splendid Suns

2007-07-31T00:40:00.000-07:00

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini is the amazing story of two women living in Afghanistan. The book spans thirty years and takes you through the actual history of Afghanistan. From the Soviet invasion through the American overthrow of the Taliban, these two women, who are so different, find themselves together in a unique relationship. This is Hosseini's second novel. His first novel, The Kite Runner, was also amazing, but this one served as a beautiful, hopeful follow-up that really touched my heart. Read this book if you want to learn a lot about Afghanistan, if you love reading about human nature, or if you simply love the beauty of language. I give it a 10 out of 10.

Pretties

2007-07-29T09:59:00.001-07:00

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld is the second book in the Uglies trilogy. In a world where everyone goes under the knife on their sixteenth birthday in order to be beautiful, Tally seems to be conflicted about her new pretty world. Some of the same characters return from the original book, but there are new characters as well. Fans of the first book might be a tad bit disappointed by the events in this book, but the same themes remain. Tally's journey keeps the reader engaged. The ideas about a future world are thought provoking: what if we all did look the same? What if our world was controlled enough to eliminate disease and destruction? And what would we do if faced with the challenge of fighting such a mighty authority? Read this book if you liked the first one, if you are interested in utopia novels, or if you want to be up on the latest young adult favorites. I give it a 7.5 out of 10.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

2007-07-29T09:58:00.001-07:00

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares is a young adult fiction novel about four teenage girls who have been best friends since birth. The novel takes place during the first summer that they spend apart. A special pair of jeans comes into their lives, and they decide to send the pants between each other all summer long. What I liked about this book was that it falls into the chick lit genre without being over the top. This book will definitely be in my classroom library. If you've seen the film, don't judge the book. The book was much better. Read this book if you love chick lit, if you saw the movie and want to read the much better version, or if you remember growing up with a group of close-knit girlfriends. I give it a 7 out of 10.

Me Talk Pretty One Day

2007-07-29T09:57:00.001-07:00

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris is a memoir (I love memoirs) written as short stories. Sedaris is generally known as the hilarious author who discusses the incidents in his life that make his readers laugh out loud while reading. I chose this book earlier in the year because David Sedaris was coming to Anchorage. If I bought one of his new books at Title Wave Books I was entered into a contest to win free tickets. Needless to say I didn't win. However, I did enjoy this book of short stories that I read while we were camping this summer. It was nice to be able to pick up the book, read one story, and then put it down again. I didn't have to worry about continuity or remembering plotlines. I didn't find it as funny as everyone else seems to find it. My favorite story was titled "Big Boy" and told of an unfortunate incident in the bathroom of a dinner party. I laughed so hard I had to read it to my husband. Read this book if you love to laugh, if short stories capture your attention, or if you have family members that won't mind you interrupting their day in order for you to read them a line or two aloud. I give it a 7.5 out of 10.

The Time Traveler's Wife

2007-07-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger is a love story with a twist. The love story mingles with science fiction because Henry is a time traveler. But, not in the way we normally think. It's not his job. It's not his invention. It's more of a genetic defect. However, his destiny with Clare is clear. The novel traces the love story between Henry and Clare and all the obstacles that come with a man who can suddenly disappear at any time. I'm usually not a fan of love stories, but this one was so interesting that I couldn't put it down. I was told it was a tear-jerker, and I honestly didn't cry although I could see why others have. Read it if you are a sucker for a good love story, if time travel interests you, or if you love reading a story told from the perspective of two different people (Clare and Henry take turns narrating). I give it an 8 out of 10.

Eat, Pray, Love

2007-07-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert is a memoir written about a year of travelling through Italy, India, and Indonesia. Gilbert was divorced in her thirties and decided to take a trip to "find herself" so to speak. In Italy she studied pleasure. For her, this meant eating fine Italian food and learning to speak Italian...just for fun. In India she studied devotion while staying at an Ashram. Finally, in Indonesia she studied balance. She wanted to learn how to balance pleasure and devotion in her life. I love the way this book is organized and found it much more touching than I originally thought it would be. I'm not spiritual at all, but somehow this book spoke to my heart. Read this book if you're a woman, if you're interested in travel, or even if you just want to read a great story about someone finding out how to live life on her own terms. I give it an 8 out of 10.