Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

menagerie.
menacing.
memories.

The first word above is notoriously strewn about this novel and summarizes in one word what this book is about.

me·nag·er·ie

 

A place where animals are kept and trained especially for exhibition; a collection of wild or foreign animals kept especially for exhibition.

 

The most captivating aspect of the storyline, for me, was the interactions between the animals and humans. While the wild animals themselves pose an obvious danger, the other characters prove to be a far greater threat in the plot. Ironically, The humans exude animalistic qualities in the way they treat each other, while the animals show more humanity than their caretakers. 

I also enjoyed the current day story Sara kept coming back to throughout her novel. It is humbling to imagine feeling like what constitutes "you" on the inside, doesn't match your old moderately decrepit and deteriorating exterior. It must be terrible to feel like someone is condescendingly placating you when you have more life experience and valid reasons for acting the way you do; constantly struggling with your limited and infuriating mobility and cogency challenges.

 

This book was a quick and easy read. The plot easily kept my attention and many of the characters were beautifully depicted...even the "ugly" ones. My main qualm with the plot, is the lack of story in the romance department. There was more risque sand crude sex and unnecessary "f" bombs than I care for. Clearly the main characters of the story are passionate, driven individuals. Why must the romantic culmination fall so FLAT?

 

I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend you pick it up before watching the movie...

 

4 out of 5 stars

Fire by Kristin Cashore

vivid.
attachments.
self actualization.

The characters and places Kristin Cashore creates, masterfully lures her audience in. This companion book to Graceling didn't have as strong as a start to its predecessor, but it grew on me. I was a little put off by the same main power being used in both books, though each had an important role in its own book. Unfortunately the overlap took away a little bit of the uniqueness that each book deserved to command. Some moments were a little disjointed when skipping from one scene to the next with little or no transition. That being said, I was not let down by this read.

However, there was a slow and steady climb toward realizing the pinnacle of attachments and characters growing and interweaving throughout the novel. This book is what I consider to be a "chick flick," because the protagonist is cursed with monstrous beauty & super powers, and is surrounded by people who adore her. What an unfortunate challenge, right?! Poor soul. This one is definitely a must read, though I admittedly hold Graceling closer to my heart.

4 out of 5 stars

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Unique, Captivating, Conspiracies

This book was a very easy read. Although the story itself is dark, Dashner is quite masterful at keeping the story tense and intriguing without weighing it down with unnecessary violence, language or other unpleasantries. The characters have a stylized language and in the cases where they might actually use off color language, they are substituted with their made up words. I often found myself chuckling at the creativity of use and meaning behind some of the words in their "language". The story is original. It reminds me of The Matrix meets Lord of the Flies meets Groundhog Day. It has a sci-fi edge to it, but i wouldn't necessarily label it as sci-fi. Plan to spend the day with this one, as you won't want to put it down. The Maze Runner's plot line starts with nothing but questions, but unfolds nicely along the way. The conclusion will leave you satisfied, but begging for more. What more can you ask for from the first book of a trilogy?

4 out of 5 stars

Extremely Loud and Incrediby Close by Jonathon Safran Foer

unassuming.
death.
love.

What originally drew me to this book, was the main character, a nine-year-old boy whose intelligence far exceeds his years. He reminded me of my eight-year-old daughter, who embodies the title of this book. She, too, is smart, and will talk your ear off in a heartbeat. She doesn't understand the need for personal space, and I'm pretty sure she is incapable of thinking internally.  She shares many similarities to Oskar in the story, and is equally endearing.

This book explores the hope and heartache of personal tragedies through generations of Oskar's family--flawed beings who love imperfectly. The book itself seems to be searching for the answer to an impossible question; a question that dwindles throughout a lengthy and painful search for meaning and purpose in lives that are lacking.

In the end, the lesson that was reinforced in my mind is the need to be loved and to share your love in the very moment that precedes the next. It is stated in the book that death is easy; living is hard. And that the biggest regrets are not things that you wish you had done differently, but rather the things you don't do at all. Or say.

I enjoyed this book immensely. It was full of emotion: sadness, hope, anger, exhilaration, and regret. One could sit and read this book for hours, but also put it down for a couple days before picking right back up where you left off. The plot exudes a certain leisurely depth to it, which reminds us how complicated life can be, and it's simple remedy.

*beware of the occasional (and rare) f-bomb.

4 out of 5 stars

The Giver by Lois Lowry

control.
burden.
truth.

I was told this book was the first in a series. With only 280 pages, it was an extremely quick read. Good thing too, because I couldn't put it down until I finished it in one evening.  I was all too eager to start the next book, but when I started reading it I discovered the "second book" doesn't seem like the same story at all.

With this realization, I reflect on how The Giver ended. I suppose it could have been a real ending, but so much was left unresolved. I'm baffled. If anyone knows what is the deal with this I'd love to hear your thoughts.

All that being said, I was surprised by how invested in the story I became.  I would have enjoyed more depth from the Giver himself as the story progressed. It seemed there was a jump in the plot about 3/4 way through the book which is where I feel it was lacking.  Again, just too many loose ends. I have lots of questions that might never be answered...and the control freak in me hates that!

4 out of 5 stars

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

young.
charming.
mystery.

I never quite know where this story is going. I was pleasantly surprised with the evolution of many characters in this book, and one relationship in particular. While I enjoyed this book more than the first, I have to admit I've lost interest in the series, even if only temporarily until I run out of on-hand recommends to keep me busy.  Now, life might go on just fine without knowing how the plot resolves. At times the series has showed such promise, but I keep coming back to the problem that the content is not captivating me. It seems like the same predictable and creepy things keep happening, and while there is little progress, so much stays the same, and so much stays unclear. I would recommend this series to a 15 year old girl though, and will certainly read the final book just to wrap it up with a pretty little bow. I must admit I'm still wanting to know what will happen, even though the plot has been painfully slow to progress.

3 out of 5 stars

Pretties by Scott Westerfield

mind.
futuristic.
savage.

I really enjoyed the first three-quarters of this book, but that is when it went downhill for me. I can see a potential for the third book in the series to be really great, or a huge failure. I'm a little aprehensive to find out because I want the time spent reading it to be worth a great ending, you know?  Let's just say the jury's out on if I would recommend adding this series to your collection.  So far there's been one good book amidst the two I've read, as 3/4 of the first book was lacking and last 1/4 of the second.  I'll let you know what I think. But if you think it sounds like something you might be into reading based on the back cover, then I'd say go for it. If you are on the fence about it, I'd suggest waiting for my critique so you don't feel like a fraction of your life has been wasted (;

4 out of 5 stars

Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause

animalistic.
[at times too] sexy.
realistic.

This isn't just another werewolf book. I mean that is a large part of it, but it the way the idea was used was a more realistic portrayal of how life for a teen werewolf might truly be. Clearly a confusing time in any teens life, add to that the confusion of belonging to a pack and to society and trying to fit in and survive in both worlds simultaneously; no simple solution for that dilemma.

The thing that bothered me about this book was how sexually-minded the main character is. In a way it makes sense since she is a wild, beautiful she-werewolf, but it still felt inappropriate to me.

In the end, I was pleased with the outcome. It's a pretty quick read, so pick it up!

4 out of 5 stars

The Mortal Instruments: City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

predictable.
yet entertaining.
but anticlimactic.


I felt like the end was anticlimactic, but I still anticipated great things leading up to the conclusion, so I still think it was a good read.  If you've read the Twilight series, I'd say it's comparable to Breaking Dawn in that way.

All in all, I think it was worth the read, and it is rumored to be made into a movie in the future.  Pick it up!

4 out of 5 stars


Also noteworthy is the fact that the prequel is coming out August 31st of 2010.

The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy

static.
dark.
enlightening.

I am currently reviewing fiction from my World Literature class I am currently taking, since I don't have a lot of extra time for recreational reading this quarter. The selected literature is in stark contrast to the pop fiction I normally indulge myself with, and it has been a breath of fresh air.

My first descriptive word is "static" which means a character who is unchanging. After reading the first few chapters, I was thinking it has to get better, right?! To my dismay it got worse--much worse. I can tell you because it is stated in the first chapter of the book that Ivan dies a man satisfied with his amends.

The book is pretty dark, but if you know Tolstoy, you know both his parents died when he was a child...he never even knew his mother or even saw pics of her. He had several of 13 children die, as well as a grandmother and two aunts that had a great effect on him.  Pondering his mortality was not something Tolstoy was a stranger to. Contrastly, the main character in the book, Ivan doesn't even take a single thought of death until it is staring him in the face.

I found this book ultimately enlightening and it has a depth to it, as does an exceptional work of art.

4 of 5 stars because it's depressing to an extent.

The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes, by Cassandra Clare

unexpected.
enchanted.
suspenseful.


This second book in the series was more action-filled than the last. More characters are added to the plot, if you can imagine. There were moments when I felt Clare was either spoon-feeding, or withholding info a bit, yet I continued to be intrigued due to unexpected turns of events and emerging romances. I definitely wanted to know how those were gonna work out...or not.

Magnus Bane has been a favorite of mine, and Simon has raised the bar with his maturing throughout the series. There isn't much of a dull moment in this book. I still don't love Clare's writing style but I can certainly appreciate the intricacy that has gone into writing this book...almost makes me want to read the series again so I can remember all the hints and foreshadowing that occurred in previous books.
Keep reading and you won't be disappointed!

4 of 5 stars

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

shocking.
sexy.
tense.

I wasn't prepared for what was going to happen in this book. It was like watching a car accident...I just couldn't look away. The story did drag on a bit for me but it was well worth it in the end. I was pretty satisfied with the ending, though I'd love to read another series picking up where this one left off someday.

On a side note, I'm not sure how they're going to make this into a movie while keeping it tasteful, but I sure can't wait to find out! Oh, and I'm all about Edward still. He brings out the school girl crush in me (;

4 of 5 stars