Deception Point

Deception Point
Dan Brown
December 2001
Reading Level: Adult

Summary:

When a new NASA satellite detects evidence of an astonishingly rare object buried deep in the Arctic ice, the floundering space agency proclaims a much-needed victory...a victory that has profound implications for U.S. space policy and the impending presidential election. With the Oval Office in the balance, the President dispatches White House Intelligence analyst Rachel Sexton to the Arctic to verify the authenticity of the find. Accompanied by a team of experts, including the charismatic academic Michael Tolland, Rachel uncovers the unthinkable - evidence of scientific trickery - a bold deception that threatens to plunge the world into controversy...

Review:

This book had me riveted from the very start. This book was a complete page-turner, and I absolutely could not put it down.

After reading The Da Vinci Code, I was convinced that Dan Brown's books were just not for me. However, one of my friends (who is a huge Dan Brown fan) assured me that most fans of his think that The Da Vinci Code is his worst book. That, combined with the fact that reading materials were sparse during my study abroad trip, convinced me to read Deception Point.

I am SO GLAD I did. As I've already said, the book was riveting. I enjoyed every moment of it, and I couldn't wait to find out what was going on. The suspense was insane, and it was all just so incredibly interesting that I couldn't help but fall in love with the story and the characters.

However, the book is not without flaws. The one thing that bothered me is the complete impossibility of it all. I wasn't even halfway through the book when I came across the first instance of utter ridiculousness, and many times throughout the book I said to myself, "That is impossible, she should be dead." Rachel just seems to get out of every horrible life-threatening situation without a scratch, and after awhile it just seemed to get a little bit silly.


Still, if you're a fan of fast-paced thrillers, and are not too picky about little technical details, then I would pick this up. Also, if you hated The Da Vinci Code, you might like this novel better. I would say that it's a great book just to pass the time, and it offers something unique and fun that you don't find in a lot of novels (or at least, not novels that I've read).

Double Review: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer && The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Mark Twain

These are books that, to most Americans, need no introduction. These are classics by almost any standard, not only because they are required reading in many schools (although not mine, unfortunately), but also because they offer incredible insight into the lives and minds of the average primary school-aged child growing up during the 19th century. It's true that these books are outdated, and irrelevant to the lives of most kids today, but there is still something so innocent and magical about Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn that I couldn't help but be drawn to.

Despite the fact that these books were written more than a hundred years ago, I found them to be very easy to read and really fast-paced. I would also like to comment on the specific edition of the books I was reading: The Barnes and Noble Classics Series Editions. I read these on my NookColor and I just loved the introduction, the glossary of terms, the timelines, and everything else that added to my knowledge of the books and of Mark Twain himself. If you're looking to pick up these books, I would highly recommend the BN edition.

It's really hard to review these books, because so many people have read them. I'm sure a lot of people have very hard feelings towards these books because they were forced upon many people as young students, but I was lucky enough to willingly expose myself to these books, which perhaps enhanced my reading experience. I also have to comment on the fact that many people have an issue with the racism in these books (especially in Huck Finn). I am not racist, and I do not support openly racist books, but in these books I am willing to accept the fact that it was a common occurrence. This does NOT make racism right, but it is something that is very real to the time, and to make Huck Finn entirely unaffected by the racial issues of the time would be an insult to the reality of the time period and the novel. In addition, I believe that these books do not support racism in the slightest; the writing is very satirical, and Twain's purpose was to shed light on the ridiculousness of the common ideas, not to promote them.

But I do not want to discuss racial issues, because I know some people will have problems with this book regardless of what I say, and some of the more opinionated people might want to pick a fight about it. So moving on...

Overall, these books are interesting, fun, and fast-paced. I loved being able to take a look at the thoughts of such unique characters, and I'm glad that I was able to experience it without having to over-analyze the whole story within a classroom.

Top Ten Authors I'd Love To Have At My Thanksgiving Feast

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Top Ten Authors I'd Love to Have At My Thanksgiving Feast

1. John Green. This should be a fairly obvious choice, because John Green is hilariously funny and made of awesome. (I also wouldn't mind if his brother Hank tagged along!)

2. Maureen Johnson. Also hilariously funny. And made of awesome.

3. Sarah Dessen. She writes some of the best books I've ever read, and turned me onto reading YA way back when. She definitely deserves a spot at my table.

4. Libba Bray. Her writing is incredible, so I think it'd be awesome to meet her and see what she's like in person.

5. Margaret Mitchell. The author of Gone With the Wind can definitely sit at my table, especially because I think she'd add some drama to the mix.

6. Megan McCafferty. She writes funny books. She's probably funny in real life!

7. Meg Cabot. Also writes hilarious books. Equally funny blog, which I haven't read in a long, long time.

8. Suzanne Collins. How could I forget the incredibly amazing author of The Hunger Games??

9. Sarah Zarr. I feel like she could teach me something about life, just by being in her presence.

10. Elizabeth Scott. Her books are a healthy combination of everything: angst, romance, friendship, humor. A perfect blend.

I think my table would be an awesome blend of YA authors- with one dead broody person to add to the mix, haha.

Jane

Top Ten Books I Had VERY Strong Emotions About

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Top Ten Books I Had VERY Strong Emotions About

Note: I would add The Hunger Games to this list, but I'm sure just about everybody has strong emotions about it. I thought I'd focus on some others that are not quite as obvious.

1. The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray. Hands down, this is the one book that I will always remember as a book that I loved so much, I hated it. The ending, just thinking about it even now, makes me want to go find the nearest copy and either 1) go read it or 2)  throw it across the room. 

2. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. Oh, the tears. I'm sure a lot of readers felt the same way about this book. There was always something to be crying about, and I vividly remember the day I read it: I was sitting in my bed surrounded by tissues and empty A&W cans, and I would go out to the living room every once in awhile with tears in my eyes, just to take a break from the SADNESS! And then, when it was over, I took it out and said, "Mom, you have to read this book."

3. Boy Meets Girl by Meg Cabot. Meg Cabot has been one of my favorite authors for a long time (although I have to admit, I have not read any of her recent books), but I especially love her adult books. The humor in them is so much different than that found in her teen books, and I find them especially hilarious. This book was one that I could not put down because I was laughing so hard.

4. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. Such a sad, sad book. Not much to say about it, except that it was known to my family as "that crying book" for the longest time.

5. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. I'm fairly certain that this is required reading for a lot of kids in middle/high school, but I'm not sure if everyone reacted quite like I did. I was sad, for sure, but I was also incredibly... touched. I don't know how to explain it, but I read this book right before taking a week-long vacation, and instead of enjoying my vacation I seemed to think about this book nonstop. It kept me awake at night, honestly, and I'm not really sure why. Maybe it was just because it is so incredibly real.

6. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. Another sad one. Not much to say about it, really. Just that it was sad and thought-provoking.

7. Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo. I think I mentioned this in a previous TTT post, and I'm more than happy to mention it again. This book had me in tears, which was a pleasant surprise, because I wasn't expecting such emotion to come from it. I really wish someone else would read this book so I can talk about it.

8. Sold by Patricia McCormick. The idea of children being sold into prostitution is such a heartbreaking one, and Patricia McCormick did the subject justice by writing this depressing, thought-provoking novel.

9. How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff. I had such strong feelings about this book because it was sad, funny, and it also confused me a little. It's hard to say too much without spoiling some o
f the main ideas, but when a book is this thought-provoking and deals with so many issues, it's natural that it should carry so much emotion behind it.

10. Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks. I'm not the hugest fan of Nicholas Sparks (I can only handle his books in small doses; maybe, one book per year?) but this is one of the first books I read of his, and I remember locking myself in the bathroom and bawling like a baby throughout the ending. That was, until I realized that most of his books end in a similar way... now, I don't care one way or another.

Jane

Summer Sisters

Summer Sisters
Judy Blume
1998
Age Level: Adult

Summary: 

No writer captures the seasons of our lives better than Judy Blume.  Now, from the New York Times bestselling author of Wifey and Smart Women, comes an extraordinary novel of reminiscence and awakening--an unforgettable story of two women, two families, and the friendships that shape a lifetime.

When Victoria Leonard answers the phone in her Manhattan office, Caitlin's voice catches her by surprise.  Vix hasn't talked to her oldest friend in months.  Caitlin's news takes her breath away--and Vix is transported back in time, back to the moment she and Caitlin Somers first met, back to the casual betrayals and whispered confessions of their long, complicated friendship, back to the magical island where two friends became summer sisters.

Caitlin dazzled Vix from the start, sweeping her into the heart of the unruly Somers family, into a world of privilege, adventure, and sexual daring.  Vix's bond with her summer family forever reshapes her ties to her own, opening doors to opportunities she had never imagined--until the summer she falls passionately in love.  Then, in one shattering moment on a moonswept Vineyard beach, everything changes, exposing a dark undercurrent in her extraordinary friendship with Caitlin that will haunt them through the years.

As their story carries us from Santa Fe to Martha's Vineyard, from New York to Venice, we come to know the men and women who shape their lives.  And as we follow the two women on the paths they each choose, we wait for the inevitable reckoning to be made in the fine spaces between friendship and betrayal, between love and freedom.

Summer Sisters is a riveting exploration of the choices that define our lives, of friendship and love, of the families we are born into and those we struggle to create.  For every woman who has ever had a friend too dangerous to forgive and too essential to forget, Summer Sisters will glue you to every page, reading and remembering.

Review:

I sort of picked this book up on a whim; I was in a thrift store, and I have no reading material with me, and so I decided to give this a shot.

Overall, I would say it was a decent book. It was written well enough, and the story had me interested and I could sympathize with Vix and her deep feelings of friendship for Caitlin. However, I just don't think that it was a story that was really worth reading about.

The book is set over quite a lengthy period of time, from when Vix is a young girl to when she is a grown adult. It basically follows her life, and most especially her friendship with Caitlin. The reason I'm not really a fan of this book is because I feel like it is something that every girl has experienced in her life; the gaining of a great friend, and then the gradual loss as they grow older and grow apart. I suppose that is why this book is easy for women to relate to, but at the end I found myself with a "So what?!" feeling.

That's not to say that it isn't an interesting story; Caitlin is the type of person who captivates you, and Vix is easy to relate to because she's just your everyday girl, so the story is entertaining. However, I don't feel like I've gotten anything from the story. It's a good beach read, for sure, but nothing like what I was hoping for.

Jane

The Berlin Boxing Club

The Berlin Boxing Club
Robert Sharenow
April 2011
Age Level: YA

Summary:

Fourteen-year-old Karl Stern has never thought of himself as a Jew. But to the bullies at his school in Naziera Berlin, it doesn't matter that Karl has never set foot in a synagogue or that his family doesn't practice religion. Demoralized by relentless attacks on a heritage he doesn't accept as his own, Karl longs to prove his worth to everyone around him.

So when Max Schmeling, champion boxer and German national hero, makes a deal with Karl's father to give Karl boxing lessons, Karl sees it as the perfect chance to reinvent himself. A skilled cartoonist, Karl has never had an interest in boxing, but as Max becomes the mentor Karl never had, Karl soon finds both his boxing skills and his art flourishing.

But when Nazi violence against Jews escalates, Karl must take on a new role: protector of his family. Karl longs to ask his new mentor for help, but with Max's fame growing, he is forced to associate with Hitler and other Nazi elites, leaving Karl to wonder where his hero's sympathies truly lie. Can Karl balance his dream of boxing greatness with his obligation to keep his family out of harm's way? 

Review:

The Berlin Boxing Club is a book that I was a little skeptical about reading. I wasn't entirely sure if I was going to enjoy a book about boxing, but I know that I always enjoy a book set during World War II. Because of this, I decided to give it a shot.

I am so incredibly glad that I gave this book a chance. If I hadn't, I would have missed out on a fascinating novel. Karl is a wonderfully complex character, who wants to stand out as a champion. At the same time, he wants to blend in, in order to be accepted by society in an unforgiving world. Watching Karl grow from the young boy he is at the beginning of the novel, to the man he becomes, is an incredible journey.

I also really enjoyed the illustrations. They provided something like comedic relief when placed next to the dark content of the novel, and it also gave readers an in-depth view of what Karl was drawing and thinking as his life went on.

The only problem I had with this book is the ending, and the reason that is the case is because it ended up somewhere entirely different than I was expecting. In the beginning, you get the sense of where you think the book will go. While I'm glad the book is not predictable in that sense, I still wish there could have been some closure when it comes to Karl's encounters with the people in his life. Although I suppose, considering that Karl not only becomes stronger physically, but mentally as well, the message of the book is that it's better to take the high road out and avoid confrontation. However, I suppose the action-lover in me was hoping for a huge showdown, which didn't happen as I expected.

Overall: even if you are skeptical, pick this book up and give it a chance. It surprised me, so it might surprise others as well. It's a great book about adolescence and growing up, and it's also set in a time where growing up might not be quite as simple as it is today.

Jane

PS. As a side note, I lent this book to a friend and he read it in two days or so. That just goes to show that it's good for girls and guys :)

13 Little Blue Envelopes

13 Little Blue Envelopes
Maureen Johnson
Original Publication Date: August 2005

Summary:

When Ginny receives thirteen little blue envelopes and instructions to buy a plane ticket to London, she knows something exciting is going to happen. What Ginny doesn't know is that she will have the adventure of her life and it will change her in more ways than one. Life and love are waiting for her across the Atlantic, and the thirteen little blue envelopes are the key to finding them in this funny, romantic, heartbreaking novel.

Review: 

I read this book for the first time when I was in high school, and I did not enjoy it as much as I wanted to. However, when I got the chance to read it again, I decided to give it a go. After all, everyone loves Maureen Johnson, and she's hilarious on Twitter, so I knew there was obviously something wrong with me for not enjoying it.

Plus, I was about to embark on my own overseas adventure. Granted, I knew exactly where I was going and what I was doing, but it seemed to be the perfect book to read while traveling.

I must say, I did enjoy the book more the second time. I think part of the appeal of this book is simply the magical idea of having the chance to go to Europe on an unplanned, unknown adventure. As I was reading this book in the airport, all I wanted to do was to purchase a ticket for some random destination and see if I could make it.

This book is simply magical, while at the same time being entirely realistic. Because Ginny just didn't hop on a plane and go on a glorified adventure through Europe. She had problems throughout the book.

This book is more than just a trip through Europe, though. It's about growing up, and I can understand and relate to it much better now than I did when I was just a couple years younger. Throughout the book Ginny became a different person, and her entire view of things changed. I loved joining Ginny on a physical and spiritual journey, and I think a lot of girls could relate to her.

After reading this for the second time, I can honestly say that I am extremely excited to read The Last Little Blue Envelope. I want to see the end of Ginny's journey. 

Jane

Class of 2k11 Giveaway

As a library lover and supporter, I am really happy to post about this giveaway.

The Class of 2k11 will be giving away 30 books. One pack of all 17 books from the Class of 2k11 will go to a school or library of the winner's choice. And another pack of 13 books will go to the winner.

I find it super awesome that there is a chance to win books for your library, and so I think everyone should head on over HERE and enter to win some books. It's really easy- all you have to do is comment.

Jane

Top Ten Books I Wish I Could Read Again For the First Time

TTT is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It's a lot of fun so stop by if you get the chance :)

Top Ten Books I Wish I Could Read Again For The First Time

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I feel like this is one of the books that everybody wants to re-read, but it's impossible to truly experience the magic when you know how everything ends up. I wish I could go back to being in suspense, always wondering what would happen next.

2. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. When I first read this, I was young and my opinions on good books were a lot different. I would like to go back and read this as a college student (as opposed to a middle schooler) and get a new perspective.

3. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Once again, I was young when I read this the first time, and I didn't really realize what a real piece of literature I had my hands on.

4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Same thing. Young. Oblivious to literature.

5. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. I cried so much reading this book. It was a constant tear-jerker, from beginning to end. I'd love to go back and do that all again.

6. The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton. Another tear-jerker that I'd like to experience for the first time.

7. Dreamland by Sarah Dessen. One of my favorites; I was so shocked the first time I read it, I'd love to feel that again.

8. Undone by Brooke Taylor. I was very excited to read this book because the hype at the time was unbelievable... it was everyone's new favorite. I was disappointed, but I'm not sure if that's because I was just busy and unable to enjoy it, or because my expectations were too high. I'd like to go back and try this again.

9. Harry Potter (series) by J. K. Rowling. I'm sure everyone wants to relive their first magical moments with this boy wizard.

10. The Host by Stephenie Meyer. I love this book, and I want to relive it over and over and over again!

What Happened to Goodbye

What Happened to Goodbye
Sarah Dessen
May 2011
Age Level: YA

Summary:

Since her parents' bitter divorce, McLean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move-four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, McLean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, McLean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself, whoever that is. Perhaps Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out.

Combing Sarah Dessen's trademark graceful writing, great characters, and compelling storytelling, What Happened to Goodbye is irresistible reading.

Review:

As a long-time fan of Sarah Dessen's, I am always more than willing to buy her latest masterpiece. However, lately I've been finding myself more disappointed than not.

Going back in time, I can still remember being a young teenager reading Sarah Dessen for the first time. I devoured her books like crazy, reading and re-reading and going completely nuts for her work. Then, when her next book came out (at this time, it was Just Listen), I fell completely in love. I felt like there was always something new or different to be found with each novel.

Next came Lock and Key. And when I read this, I was sadly disappointed. While all of Sarah Dessen's previous books were memorable, with interesting and wonderful characters and unique and realistic plot lines, Lock and Key had none of that. It was cute, sure, but not anything I'd want to read again and again.

Following Lock and Key was Along for the Ride. After speed-reading this one, I felt like Sarah Dessen came back. Lock and Key was just a bump in the road, so to speak.

However, after reading What Happened to Goodbye, I'm not so sure what to think. While reading it, I thought that it was a very nice and refreshing book. Very cute and sweet; AKA, very Sarah Dessen. I enjoyed reading about MacLean's life, simply because she lives a life so different from my own. I also found myself hoping that everything would work out in her impossible situation.

While I enjoyed the book, I still had one problem: it was entirely too predictable. It's all girl meets boy, girl falls in love, girl has a problem, boy gets sad, girl finds herself, boy and girl get together, girl overcomes impossible situation, whatever. In previous books, I've always marveled at how Sarah Dessen could write about real situations that girls go through, and how the girls cope with their problems and find their own way. But this book just didn't seem real to me. It seemed like just any old love story. While it was sweet and fun to read in the moment, there is nothing about it that draws me back for seconds or thirds.

I'm sure if you enjoy Sarah Dessen's previous books, you will not be completely disappointed. However, if you're hoping for some of her earlier magic, you might have to wait for the next one, or revisit some of the classics.

Jane