A BOOK : Sometimes I Lie and Sometimes I Don’t by Nadja Spiegel

B L O G M A S  D A Y  14

So today I finished a short collection of stories by Najda Spiegel titled Sometimes I Lie and Sometimes I Don’t.

These stories are hard to describe. A lot of them are super short– by the time you gather your bearings they’re done. They focus less on plot and character development and more on trying to express a specific emotion and quirk of a character.

Some of the stories truly have a WTF factor, but in the end a lot of them just seem to quietly cut out the aches of life and display them for you. This is a more serious sad collection, perfect for a cold grey day where you want to exist in a sensitive state.

Also. The title captures the essence of this collection PERFECTLY.

So if you want to read something filled with very poetic writing brimming with emotion, and if you want to read something that’s a little quirky… then you should add this to your to-read list!

 

A BOOK : All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

 

B L O G M A S  D A Y  13

 

Today we are talking about All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. You know how after John Green got SUPER popular suddenly every book that was young adult and contemporary had a little statement claiming it was EXACTLY LIKE BOOKS BY JOHN GREEN?

Well good news! I’ve heard little blurbs talking about THIS book saying if you like books by John Green you would like this, and I think that is SUPER accurate.

And I’m trying to figure out what it is about this one that seems like that is a very true statement. Because yes, in All the Bright Places you have two very smart seemingly very different from each other teens start becoming friends (and possibly more-ooh-la-la). You also have tragic stories mixed with humor.

On the surface all of those ring true, but that rings true for a lot of books that I wouldn’t say capture the same feeling and voice. Niven’s book speaks to that same feeling and voice though. It is of course completely its own story….

[SUMMARY TIME.

Finch is notorious for his weirdness and how different he is. Violet is notorious for her popularity. They are on polar opposites of the social structure, yet somehow they both end up on the roof of the school at the same time with possibly a similar idea… the book is told in alternating view points as they navigate their histories, trying to live in the present, and the possibility of a future.]

So even though the core of the story is definitely different, what Niven seems to do similarly is to put to words the yearning and emotion in life when you’re feeling stuck physically and emotionally that Green also seems to do. It’s idealistic in certain ways, yet grounded in harsh realities.

I will say, similarly with The Fault in our Stars there is an interesting tension between the lightness of the book with the seriousness of some of the situations being discussed.

Is it fair to spend so much time comparing one author to another? Probably not. But I think that was my strongest review reaction– especially because is has attained a similarity that a lot of marketing people seem to be striving for.

So if you’re looking for something that simultaneously somehow draws from your happy and giddy emotional pool and your my heart is breaking emotional pool, add All the Bright Places to your to-read list!

Heads up though- the book does discuss suicide a lot.

A BOOK Uprooted by Naomi Novik

B L O G M A S    D A Y   10

This week in one of my meetings at work we were talking about that tipping point people reach that makes them finally decide to try a book someone has been talking about. I reached my tipping point this week for the book, Uprooted by Naomi Novik. I was in the exact right mood for it and one more person mentioned it at the exact right moment and suddenly it was like BAM. That is exactly what the book doctor ordered.

Uprooted is set in this medieval-like world following a young woman (I think she’s in her mid-teens) named Agnieszka. Every 10 years this wizard-like man named the Dragon chooses one girl to take to his castle and keep for 10 years. No one is quite sure what happens to the girl when she is stolen away to his lairs, but ten years later when they come back they are never the same.

This year, a girl will be chosen from Agnieszka’s age group, and the entire town is positive it will be Agnieszka’s best friend Kasia. But what happens if it isn’t?

dun dun dunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!

So a few things.

1- The magic in this is splendid. I loved it. A lot of time is spent on describing how it works and it was beautiful.

2- I loved the dragon character. I liked how disgruntled he was all the time. He really seemed like a human form of a dragon.

3- I loved the world building in general. In this, there is a terrifying evil that comes from the Woods. You do not feel any sense of safety.

4- Something about this book really seeps into your core. I gobbled it up Monday night after work, then spent time reading during my break, and then finished it Tuesday night. All Tuesday I was basically just existing in these pages even when I wasn’t reading. I got to this really frustrating part of the book during my break where I just wanted to jump into it and be all “HEY! STOP DOUBTING HER!!!!” and I just felt soooo unbelievably defensive for her and unnaturally angry at the characters being stupid. Novik is able to bring this world and these characters alive, and it is so easily to become so invested in them!

5- Reading this for the first time I read this for plot solely. I just wanted to know what the heck was going to happen. I think it definitely would be better to do either a slow meandering read, or a second read-through. There are so many thoughtful explorations on the weaknesses on mankind, the relationship between man and nature, friendship, and the relationship between child and parent. There is so much meat to this book, and it’s done in a way that isn’t overhanded.

Want to add some beauty in your life? Add Uprooted to your to-read list!

Review: Little Bee

Little Bee
By Chris Cleave
Published Aug. 2008
Bond Street Books

This is the story of two women. Their lives collide one fateful day, and one of them has to make a terrible choice, the kind of choice we hope you never have to face. Two years later, they meet again – the story starts there …

Summary and photo from Goodreads.com

On my goodreads account, I don’t rate things unless I’m going to give it 5 stars. Guess how many stars I gave this one? FIVE. Ah, I’m sure you guessed right. This book captured me from the moment I started to read it. My review for this is going to be different because I don’t want to ruin anything out of respect for you and the author, so I’m going to try to stay away from details.

1. Refugees. Little Bee (one of the women mentioned in the summary) is from Nigeria and escaping to England. I have to say her narration is my absolute favorite. Her perspective broke my heart and warmed it, and I love how thoroughly Chris Cleave brings the reader into her head. While Sarah’s story and perspective is interesting and enjoyable to read (although sad), I found myself anxiously waiting to get back to Little Bee.

2. The little boy. Sometimes I thought he was too wise beyond his age. Kids are interesting, because they can blow your mind with how smart they are and also how ignorant they are. I think I would have liked to see a little bit more of the ignorance from the little boy, or at least something. Still, some of my favorite scenes involved him and Little Bee.

3. The humor. While overall the story is sad and most definitely made me cry (on a public bus too. It was awkward!) there still were quite a few funny parts. A lot of it more dark humor, but some of it silly.

4. Hope. The ending is really interesting in that it did make me feel hopeful. If you’re on the fence about reading this or not, I’d suggest you read it just for the ending so you can see what I mean. There is this mixture of being completely crushed by reality, while being pulled up by hope at the same time. It was one of the most vivid scenes I’ve read.

5. As a very blessed person who has a safe home, good family, and opportunities ahead this is one of those books that really helped me gain some more perspective. While I don’t think this book will necessarily CHANGE YOUR LIFE (unless you take action after reading it), I do think it opened my eyes a lot and really got me thinking about being a human and what that means to my daily life.

6. The way the story is told is really cool, so for writers I think this is worth a read just for that. Chris Cleave plays with perspectives and timing and it’s just super neat. I love it.

Overall Review: Fannntastic. This is a book you sink into, and I know I will be craving it in a few months to read again. While I wouldn’t call this a light read, necessarily, I don’t want to make this out to be the weightiest book ever that will just make you depressed and will be a super big challenge to read. Chris Cleave did a good job of tackling the weighty stuff, without making it suck. To be blunt:)

Age range?: I would say this is good for upper high school and above! Just a note, one of the characters is 16-years-old.

What next?: Usually when I read a book like this I get on a social justice high and research opportunities to do something about it, and then get a little daunted by the prospect of starting something completely new. I keep hesitating until I get distracted and my high decreases (I know, it’s terrible, but it’s true) until finally it’s just a distant memory. HOWEVER, this time I was super lucky, because a woman from my church is really passionate about refugees and it just happened that my small group was signed up to help out with a family from Iraq being located into a nearishby apartment and so I already committed to help. After my little bit of research, a TON of churches have really gotten involved with helping refugees, and so I’d advice you to just take a chance and commit to it if you feel so led! I’m really excited about this, right now.

So, I hope you all enjoy!

 

Review: It’s Not Summer Without You -book #2

It’s Not Summer Without You
by Jenny Han
Published April 2010
Simon and Schuster
Young Adult

Last year, all of Belly’s dreams came true and the thought of missing a summer in Cousins Beach was inconceivable. But like the rise and fall of the ocean tide, things can change–just like that. Suddenly the time she’s always looked forward to most is something she dreads. And when Jeremiah calls to say Conrad has disappeared, Belly must decide how she will spend this summer: chasing after the boy she loves, or finally letting him go.

Summary and photo from Goodreads.com

Alright, so this is the second book in the Summer series by Jenny Han, so if you haven’t read The Summer I Turned Pretty I would suggest holding off on reading this review.  I still won’t be giving away anything major regardless (someone’s gotta protect you nosy people), but to be on the safe side… stop reading!

Jenny Han did not disappoint.  I think the only thing that she had me disappointed with was the lack of the third book on my doorstep!  What the heck, Jenny Han!  I thought we had the psychic Jenny connection.

So anyway… here’s what got me:

1.  You get to know everyone so much better and understand them.  While I felt like I knew the characters in the first book, I feel like I can say I understand them now.  Even Belly’s friend who doesn’t have a humongous role in the book.

2.  THE TENSIONS ARE UNBELIEVABLE.  You know when you’re talking to someone and you want to say something, but you can’t so you don’t?  Jenny Han captures this perfectly.  Even more so than the first book.  Yea, Belly acts immature and stupid at times, but it’s alright because you at least know where she’s coming from.

3.  Jeremiah narrates some chapters!!  Yayyyyy

4.  There are some really sad things that happen in this book, and I think Jenny handles the reactions of the characters in a heartbreakingly realistic way.  It’s terrible to see these characters in pain, but it’s necessary.

5.  As far as character growth goes, I’m not sure how much any of these guys have grown yet.  Based on what happens in this book I think we’ll see much of the growth take place in the next book.  Everything just kind of got messier between these pages!

Ultimate review: A superb second book!  I’d say read it when you get a chance!
Well hey!: Book three is coming out May 2011!!