Smart Remarks Book Club

Le Curse of el Tigre!

2012-01-30T19:27:00.000-08:00

The Tiger's Curse review by Jespy Espy

Dangnabbit.

I wanted to be obsessed with this book, like everybody else. I wanted to devour the first book and then rush out and get the next two books in an obsessed frenzy. But I’m starting to realize that I don’t always get everything I want, no matter how much I scream and fail my arms.

The author did an excellent job of describing the tiger(s). The tigers felt real and I would find myself getting lost in the story particularly when Ren was in Tiger form. ßI wrote that because I felt bad about the rest of my review. Ahem.

I know a lot of people were feeling Kelsey and Ren’s relationship, but I felt no chemistry between them. In the beginning, when Ren was still in his tiger form, their relationship felt like that of a young girl and her pet tiger. Then, when he finally took his human form, their romantic relationship happened quite simply and without tension.

Whenever Ren would go back to his tiger form, their relationship would regress to that of child/pet, making it hard to get a good feel for Kelsey because she would act/speak very immaturely and treat Ren like a silly pet. But then Ren would take his human form again, and Kelsey would become an uptight, middle-aged librarian with a crush. I didn’t care so much how she acted, I just needed consistency. I couldn't figure out who she was.

The instant physical attraction between them whenever Ren was in human form did not have any effect on me. Ren was endlessly caressing her check with his knuckles, brushing hands with her, touching the tip of her nose, calling her beautiful, etc. That crap might work if there had been any tension, but otherwise it’s just words on a page.

Then about 2/3 into the book, it was as if the author suddenly realized this was all progressing too quickly, so she put the breaks on the relationship the only way she knew how: by simply making Kelsey reject Ren. The reason was pathetic. I don’t stand for that “I’m not worthy of your love, you’d be better off without me, because I’m not as attractive as you” nonsense. Then, as Kelsey’s logic follows, she painstakingly began to push him away in the meanest possible way, and treated him terribly for the rest of the book in order to accomplish this (except for a couple of three-page kisses that happened after the fact). Couldn’t there have been a better way to break up? Maybe a nice text message?

This reminded me of the end scene in Harry and the Hendersons, when John Lithgow’s character employed the same “go on, get outta here, we don’t want you anymore” technique on Harry, because it was for his own good.

(I always hated that part. Was the slap really necessary? And no, that quiet, “my friend” he added after Harry left did not soften the blow.)

Another negative for me were the long Q&As between Kelsey and Mr. Kadan. Unfortunately for us, Mr. Kadam was like a human Wikipedia, so we were subjected to page upon page of information regarding tigers, airplane engines, Indian myths, the caste system, etc. Kelsey (inconveniently) found it all so fascinating and encouraged him to continue his lectures quite frequently. It got to the point that I’d start skimming whenever Mr. Kadan walked onto the page. And Kelsey was equally guilty of doing this. She would oft. wax poetic about her many likes and dislikes, her favorite poems, her childhood, what she does for fun, etc. It felt like an attempt to help the reader get to know Kelsey better. The most uncomfortable was when she would start info-dumping on Ren when he was in tiger form, and he couldn’t respond.

Finally, (and this is just me being picky) I have a short list of things in books that drive me crazy to the point that I can’t let it go and enjoy the story. I tried to ignore it in The Tiger’s Curse, but it got to be too much. This is my fictionalized example:

“Look at this, Ren.”

“What is it, Kells?”

“Ren, it looks like a statue. What do you think it means, Ren?”

“I don’t know, Kells.”

“Ren?”

“Yeah, Kells?”

“I like your name, Ren. I’m gonna say it almost every time I speak to you. Even when we are the only two people in a room and it’s clear I could only be speaking to you, Ren.”
“Thank you, Kells. I like yours as well, so I will say yours no less than two times per page. When I’m feeling playful, I’ll call you Kells, and when I’m feeling passionate, I will address you by your full name. Kelsey.”

“Ren?”

“What is it, Kelsey?”

“Do people in real life say each others names this much?”
“No.”

I should end with something positive! I feel bad. Um, the descriptions of the tigers were so good!

Tigers Curse Discussion

2012-01-29T21:37:00.000-08:00

Lets discuss Tigers curse here tomorrow night @ 8:30pm PT.

Discuss?

2012-01-23T20:34:00.000-08:00

Is there anyone out there to discuss tigers curse? I put this up just in case.

I have the tigers curse

2012-01-23T20:18:00.000-08:00

Well I guess I have the tigers curse because I love these books. I must have seen right through Colleen's "bad writing" because I didn't see what was wrong with it. I loved her descriptive writing even though it may have all been pulled from Wikipedia. She really did a good job making you feel like you were in India with her research. Kelsey wasn't too annoying for me, I've read books with more annoying girls. Dont get me started on ren and Kishan. I can see why there is a love triangle. It is hard for me to choose what one I would rather have her end up with. Anyway I better see if there is anyone to discuss with. I'm a sucker for twilight knockoffs guys. I could read a million of them, good or bad and never get sick of it :o)

Trussssst in Meeeee...

2012-01-23T19:16:00.000-08:00

"I don't know any hot Indian men"... ha ha, nice one Flem. I'm afraid I had the same thought. To me all Indian men wear big cotton diapers and weigh as much as a small child. I also can't keep from doing the Simpsons Apu accent whenever any of them are speaking... even Kelsey sometimes, 'cause... you know... she wouldn't be able to help herself, it's just so fun to talk like that.

There were several annoyances for me. First of all, I missed Baloo, Bagheera, the wolf pack, and the marching elephants. Also I didn't fall in love with Kelsey like everyone else did. Other than apparently having some ability to help break the curse I didn't see anything in her that would make me want to give her sports cars, homes, credit cards, and college tuition. It was particularly annoying how she kept pushing Ren away because she felt she just wasn't in his league. I also thought Kishan was a jerk and didn't get how Kelsey liked him. I stopped reading this series about a third of the way through book two when it became apparent that the author was setting up a love triangle that made no sense to me whatsoever.

Despite the annoyances, I didn't hate it. It was light entertaining reading, a nice diversion from tech manuals and textbooks. I actually think the movie version has the potential to be even better than the book; especially if they have the budget to do Avatar-like effects, 'cause tigers are just so cool.

Tiger's Curse

2012-01-22T20:10:00.000-08:00

The Tiger's Curse is real you guys.

You know how I know? Because I listened to the three books on audible, what I thought was a trilogy, and when I got to the end and realized it wasn't finished? That is when I felt it. The curse.

Because really, most of the way through the book(s) I was like "come on now!!" for so many reasons. Like:

--Low self-esteem girls, I just don't get them
--Totally predictable moments, I was hardly ever surprised
--Too much focus on the body. Okay we get it, hot Indian men! But can we focus on the charm and the how they made you feel emotionally too? That didn't come until WAY too late for my liking. Then again, I don't know any hot Indian men.
--Are we seriously bringing in every possible mythology ever?

In spite of those elements, I was fairly devastated it was over. I felt so, so sad. That is when I realized that this little vixen of an author is tricky. She did her homework about a TON of crap: SCUBA, Tigers, Indian lore, boats, and a bunch of other stuff I can't remember. She must have read and studied constantly while working on this.

She did a good job of building up a little sultry romance, even if the amount of conflict they encountered was a little over the top.

Original--an Indian prince, half-tiger/half-man, a brother duo, and a grandfatherly figure.

She described food and clothing in extensive detail, made you feel like you were there.

Lastly, I thought the main character was a nice balance of courage and reliance on the male leads.

In the end, I have to say I really enjoyed reading these books and I look forward to the 4th one. Even if I have to put up with all those annoying little elements.

Tiger's Curse, a mixed review

2012-01-22T20:09:00.000-08:00

This will be quick since the discussion is about to begin. I have mixed feelings about the book and the series. The first three nights I read the book as a bedtime story as it quickly put me to sleep each night. On night three I decided to skip ahead to see if I wanted to continue reading this book or let it go the way of that one book about the short lady, oh what was it called? Exactly. When I found the words "kiss" and "kissing" I continued. Aw, this is more like it. I read a little bit of the kissing scenes, okay all of them, and then went back and read the book. Then I read the next book. Then the next book. Books Two and Three I finished in a matter of days. So as you can see for I devoured the books.

Now did I like them? Well, yes I did, but I'm not sure why. There are so many reasons not to like them. Kelsey was completely unlikable -- really flat, uninteresting, selfish, and shallow. The potential to go really deep with her was there, with her being orphaned and everything, but I never really felt the loss of her parents. I never connected or sympathized for her which is a red flag for me. I know I'm never going to connect in the way I like to connect when I can't FEEL for the characters. Reading about them is one thing, but feeling them is another. The books that are my favorites are the books in which I can feel the characters. I know. I'm weird.

Often when I read a book I get a sense of the author. It's not that I dislike Colleen, I think she's great (I especially like that we graduated from the same college) it's just that I can tell we are really different in the way we view the world as she is more of a "ST" and I am a total "NF" if you'll remember back to our personality discush. ;) I only mention this because I love "NF" books. Funny that INFPs often love the same books. "The Giving Tree" being high on the list. Anyhoo, I didn't mean to get off topic.

If I may have a word with some people for a second, I have a few unanswered questions.

Kelsey-- Who are you, girl? What makes you special? Why, out of all the young women in the world, are you the only person who can break the Tiger's Curse? Why, oh why, oh why? I seriously don't get it. You frustrate me, you bore me, you're kind of a jerk, you lack direction, and your creator has yet to show me why you aren't just like any other girl out there. And if that's the point, then that's really lame.

Mr Kadam-- Oh Mr. Kadam, why are so flat? You bored me to tears. ::shaking my head::

Ren. I like you. Underneath that hot bod you actually have a personality. The trouble is I would really like to know you but I can't. I'm stuck in Kelsey's head when I'd much rather being in your ~~arms~~ head. I get the feeling there is more to you than just your looks. Wanna have lunch? I'll wear my saree.

Kishan. I like you as well. So why are you being completely and totally emasculated in Book Three? Push back against the author's agenda and stop being a fool. Hello.

Collen. Overall I found your writing to be okay, but not good. In fact, at times it was really elementary. I would love to see varied sentence structure, improved vocabulary, more figurative language, more feeling infused into the thoughts, words, and action, more showing and less telling, and either a third-person point of view, or a least alternating first-person points of view between Kelsey, Ren, and Kishan. Develop and strengthen the characters. (Don't get me wrong with this feedback; I'm not any better, I just see room for improvement). Kudos to you for doing a lot of research, but I often felt Wikipedia sitting with me as I read, a constant weight on my shoulder. Research is great for research papers, but for novels I've always heard it's good to write what you know. (Just my take on it). Also, a word about the food. Don't these people ever eat anything other than carbs? Come on. You are totally pushing the S.A.D. (Standard American Diet) on these Indian characters and I'm afraid they'll all be type 2 diabetic by the time we reach Book Four. (You're lucky I've decided to save my Paula Deen rant for another day). I know this is a fantasy book but it does need to be a bit more practical in the food department. May I suggest more natural, whole, raw foods (think fruit, veggies, greens) for these characters and less talk about it?

Okay, now on to what I liked. I liked the way I was completely A.D.D. the week I read the series-- reminded me of my love affair with Twilight. I couldn't give the kid a bath without the book right next to the tub or sit at the stoplight without the book in my lap. I'd find excuses to go to bed early, feign sickness, or sneak into my bedroom book in hand. When I wasn't reading, and my kids were talking to me, I couldn't hear a word they said as I was too busy thinking about how/when I'd get my next Tiger's Curse fix. I even PAID FOR (which I never do) the third book because the waiting list at the library was much too long and I had to read it NOW. Thank you Amazon for your quick delivery. I felt so undone without it. The other thing I loved was how the author credited Twilight for being the inspiration for the book. From the interview that I watched, Colleen explained how she enjoyed the Edward/Jacob dichotomy and wanted to re-create something similar. So Tiger's Curse may be yet another Twilight knock-off but it's the best knock-off I've read and the author gives credit where credit is due.

Overall, I enjoyed this page-turner of a book and have recommended it to fiction-loving friends. Can't wait to read about what they eat in Book Four. ;)

An English teacher's dream

2011-10-30T20:00:00.001-07:00

I can't count the number of times this book made me smile. I'm not lying. It was that good.

In fact, I haven't smiled this much since The Book Thief and The Hunger Games series. If I were an English teacher I would get busy putting this book in my lesson plans. In fact, I bet there are a lot of curriculum nerds going nuts out there right now fitting this book into English classes everywhere. It truly is an English teacher's dream. There is so much to explore. Well, I better go since the discush is starting but i will finish this later.

OKAY FOR NOW discussion...

2011-10-30T20:00:00.000-07:00

Better than okay, in fact, amazing.

I already reviewed this on Goodreads, but I just want to add...

After reading scores of YA and MG novels (in and out of this book club), I've come to realize how difficult it can be for a writer to give their young protagonist an authentic voice. Too much angst can come across whiny and annoying, giving birth to an unlikable character. Yes, birth. This problem has killed many a YA book for me (I'm not naming names Graceling ahem). Too little angst, and the character can seem inauthentic or 2-dimensional. It's a fine line, mi amigos. In my professional book club opinion, Doug Swieteck walked that fine line perfectly, not a single misstep. Doug is what made this book so great. Because if all that stuff would have happened to some random kid that didn't seem so dang real, I wouldn't have cared half as much.

Katniss Everdeen

Captain Peter Blood

Gen

Doug Swieteck

Let's discuss now, shall we?

Two Thumbs Up

2011-10-30T19:57:00.001-07:00

Brilliance

2011-10-30T19:21:00.000-07:00

That's how I felt about this book. Having a 13 yr old boy myself I cannot begin to understand how the author captured the "phase" so perfectly. And yet, this boy is so different from mine in so many ways. Obv he doesn't have an abusive, loveless father, etc. But, how is he so strong? How can he maintain his ability to get up every day and not curl up in a ball and give up? It was inspiring to me that a young boy could be so strong,...so caring,....so, so,...............tenacious. I'm not making sense. To be honest I didn't think this was gonna happen since I hadn't seen a post from Jespy about a discush. But yay!! I loved this book and have already recommended it to a dozen people at least. Let's do this!

I Was a Chump

2011-10-30T17:25:00.000-07:00

I was a chump at least 4 times reading this book. So what? So what? You probably were too.

Here are the stats on that:

1 time when that kid gave him the Joe Pepitone jacket when he was moving away.
1 time when Douggo stopped by the paper mill and I realized his dad had kept the money and baseball and hadn't said a stupid word to him about it.
1 time when the boss at the paper mill gave him that bomber jacket.

And one other time that I can't remember but you can probably figure it out for yourself.

If you are paying attention you'll see I didn't exactly take stupid notes.

There was a point where I was mad at Jenny for picking this book and making me read it. I think it was the part where stupid Lucas came upstairs and beat up Doug and took his Joe Pepitone baseball hat. Yup. That was exactly when. Like I wanted to be all depressed. But Doug had already grabbed me by my stupid heart and that was that. I was glad I read it and didn't even care it made me act like a chump. The parts that got me good were the ones where the smallest actions made the biggest differences. It made me realize that the little things I say or don't say to people can impact them. Young artist. Mamma's Baby.

I loved the writing style. If I could trace my finger over it and copy it like Doug did with the Arctic Tern I would in a second. I have a feeling it's a lot harder than creating stability or movement in a sketch though A lot harder.

I am so glad I just read Jane Eyre a month ago.

Fantastic book. I loved it. So what?

New Book Selection

2011-09-26T11:25:00.000-07:00

I'm just gonna step right in and pick a book, if that's okay for now with you people.

The book is called Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt.

Have you forgotten why you love reading, my friends? Have you lost your reading mojos, mi amigos? Has your book list gone from totally chic to totally geek, my comrades? Well, here is a book that will get you back in the reading groove. After you read this, you will scower (how do you spell scower, fhs?) the Internet, looking for more books with teenage boy protagonists (and you'll have a hard time finding anything that measures up). This is a book you can safely purchase, rather than borrow from the library. This is a book you will continue to think about long after you close it/power it off. This is a book you will recommend to acquaintances during awkward lulls in conversation. This is a book you will bake a cake about.

You can read my review of it HERE on Goodreads if you need more convincing.

--Jenny ESP

Discussion Place for The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb, a Novel

2011-09-11T19:59:00.001-07:00

And go...

Only a little bit of Love

2011-09-11T19:40:00.000-07:00

I was curious about the circus thing. I even got a little bit pulled into the story there for a few minutes. But Vinnie was so unlikeable. I couldn't stop wondering the whole book how she never wanted, felt, tried, wished, missed, or thought about doing it with Charles. And I felt so so sorry for him. I hated all of the travelogue stuff. Again? We have to hear about every city, the dirty wagons, trudging through the mud? Months and months of ships and trains and ugh! That could have been summed up pretty easily in a page or two.

I too googled pictures of Lavinia and her little husband. She wasn't that pretty. I wish I could find better pictures of her. What an ego the author gave her. So anyway. The other reviews are much better phrased and written than mine. A big thumbs up Landee. I felt the same way!!

"Landee Loved This Book" and other Humbugs

2011-09-11T15:05:00.000-07:00

Alternate Title: Landee Gives Mrs. Tom Thumb Two GIGANTIC Thumbs Down

First of all, I looked at the photos of Miss Lavinia Warren Bump. She's no Beauty Queen. Perfectly proportioned? I'm gonna go with no. MORE perfectly proportioned than the peeps on Little People, Big World, yes, I'll give her that. But still. Her head is bigger than it should be. Minnie is adorable though... I just want to put her in my pocketbook and carry her around!

#2, Vinnie was highly unlikable. Who ever heard of a snotty dwarf/pituitary disorder? I recently found out that my ancestors also came over on the Mayflower and you don't see me with my tiny nose stuck in the air, do you? I can't like a snob, no matter how tiny she is. Therefore, I couldn't completely enjoy the story as it is told entirely from within her tiny brain. I can't forgive her for being so cold with poor Charles either. I mean, I wasn't looking forward to any nasty tiny person intimacy scenes or anything, but geez! A man has needs, I don't care how wee he is.

C. I LOVE P.T. Barnum. If he really is anything like how he is portrayed in this book then I want to know more. I guess that is one good thing about this book... it did make me want to know more about these people.

4th, the writing was subpar. I wanted less of a travelogue and more of a character driven story. The foreshadowing was driving me crazy too. Things like "I would later look back at that handshake and remember it as the moment I sentenced Minnie to death" (not an exact quote, but who cares?). Rarely did actual events live up to to the drama of the foreshadow. I was totally expecting Barnum to have strangled Minnie with his bare hands! As it turns out, he happened to have introduced Minnie to some short-ish dude whom she married, got pregnant with and then died in childbirth. Give it a rest, Vinnie, fhs.

Lastly, between this and Water For Elephants I'm starting to think that circus freaks are the new vampire.

Landee out.

Markie's Review of Mrs. Tom Thumb

2011-09-11T07:42:00.000-07:00

While this book wasn't particularly entertaining; definitely not a page turner and nothing I would read again, I found the subject quite fascinating and I'm glad I read it. What fascinated me? Well, first off the idea that a person can be born a normal sized baby and then at at couple years old stop growing vertically, while otherwise continuing to age and develop normally in every other way. Apparently this type of dwarfism is not common today because it's easily treatable with hormone therapy. I guess that's why you never see little teeny tiny pocket people around any more. Kinda sad. I miss them... not that I ever had them... but still... I miss them.

I'm also fascinated by what kind of challenges one would face being a teeny tiny person in a normal world (or being a normal person in a world of giants depending on your perspective). "I had always looked up, of course; that was my natural position, just as a flamingo stands on one leg or an otter swims on its back" - challenging, both on a practical basis; things like boarding a train, getting into bed, using a bathroom, cooking, finding clothes, etc.; and on a social basis - the constant stares and whispers, and the challenge of finding a companion. In the case of Miss Lavinia Warren Bump there were extremely limited options.

I also think its facinating the way the author gave a personality and voice to this little person. I have no idea whether it was accurate or not; whether she was the nicest kindest bravest person in the world, or a selfish, bitter, cynical beotch. I suspect like most of us she was some of all the above. For me, I found the personality and voice that the author gave her to be believable, and I did not dislike her. I thought her motivations seemed genuine and I never had a "gimme-a-break" moment where I felt like nobody would act/feel/behave that way.

I don't know how I would handle being a teeny tiny person. Probably not gracefully. I think I would have been very reclusive, willing to stay on the farm and be sheltered and protected, and terrified of the day when my parents would no longer be around to provide that shelter and protection. I loved the fact that Vinnie did not want to be defined by her size, and had the courage and determination to first become a school teacher, and then to go explore the world. I didn't think there was anything incongruous or disingenuous about her wanting to protect her little sister, while at the same time feeling the need to get off the farm herself, see the world, and have people know and remember her.

I also can't judge her for marrying for practical and financial reasons rather than for love. I believe people have been doing that for generations. In fact I think the idea of marrying solely because you are in love is a relatively modern idea. Arranged marriages still happen today in many parts of the world. And again, her options were very limited. Marrying a normal (or giant depending on perspective) sized person would be out of the question for reasons I would think I need not explain. I think it was very sad that she never had any intimacy in her marriage (according the author) - I felt particularly sad for her husband, but again I can't blame her. Indeed she saw her worst fears played out when Minny foolishly did what Vinnie knew she could never do. It's just sad they didn't have something better than prevention powders in those days. Or maybe they did, but these tiny people just didn't know about it, or couldn't find anything their size. Poor little people.

I found P.T. Barnum fascinating too, and I wouldn't mind learning more about him. He certainly left a legacy. The Barnum & Bailey circus still travels around the country today. I liked the way the author portrayed him and would like to think it was accurate. I felt that while he was clearly a business man and out to provide entertainment and make a buck, he respected his employees. I personally don't have any problem with his passing off a wrinkled old lady as being 161 years old and the nanny of George Washington, or sewing half a monkey to half a fish and calling it a mermaid. I love that in our nation a person is free to find suckers and take their money. I did have a problem with his taking orphans and trying to pass them off as the Thumb's child; while at the same time being impressed by the brazenness of it. I think he probably should have done some jail time for that one given that people around the world sent expensive gifts for the baby's birth, and again for its supposed death.

I like the way that the author focused the narrative on the relationship between Barnum and Vinnie. I was sad that Vinnie blamed herself and Barnum for her sisters death, but again I found it genuine and didn't question it. I was happy that they reconciled in the end. These are two people that I will add to my list of people I'd like to meet on the other side. Of course I also found her interaction with, and feelings about the Mormons interesting. I completely understand her disgust at Polygamy. I wish I knew more about her meeting with Brigham Young.

I'm actually old enough, and maybe some of you are too, to remember "Freak Shows". I remember one "human oddity" I saw as a child. It was a tiny man. I paid my dime or whatever it was, and climbed the stairs into a trailer where we stood behind some Plexiglas staring at a little man in a tiny recliner watching TV. He wasn't an every day Oompa Loompa like midget, but he also wasn't a perfectly proportioned little man like Tom Thumb. He was rather misshapen, hunched over, and looked like he must be in constant pain. He looked to be in his middle ages and quite unhappy. I can't blame him. In the few minutes that I was there I witnessed several Cletuses banging on the Plexiglas, and shouting things to try and get the little guy to do something, like Dudley Dursely trying to get the attention of the Burmese Python. But the tiny man never acknowledged the people on the other side of the glass. I felt very sorry for this little person, and wondered about the ethics of this situation. On the one hand we were providing him with an honest living (assuming his employers were treating him fairly) while on the other hand it may have been at the expense of his dignity and self worth.

I pondered this ethical question throughout the book. It's one of the reasons I ultimately give this book thumbs up. It made me ponder some big questions. I like how the Author addressed this issue and how it must have always been a part of Vinnie's thinking. "There were hundreds of 'Tom Thumb Wedding' parties; 'Tom Thumb Wedding" fundraisers; 'Tom Thumb wedding' pageants at schools. Was I supposed to be touched by this, viewing it as a tribute to our love? Or was I supposed to be offended, seeing it as a mockery, a joke? I never could decide." When an Elvis impersonator marries a couple in Vegas, or dozens of them parachute from an airplane is it a tribute? a mockery? Both? Can you really pay tribute to somebody while you are making a joke of their appearance/size/voice/style/etc.?

Other passages that made me ponder:
"I wondered if this was how it always felt when all your dreams came true. Perhaps, after living with them for so long, did you simply toss them away - and begin to dream about something else?"
- Discussion point: Have you ever had a dream come true; one that you thought if only you had that one thing you would be happy for the rest of your life? How did you feel immediately after? 1,5,10 years after? Are you still waiting for your dreams to come true, and provide you the happiness you long for?
"I must confess, right here and now, to making a dreadful assumption. And that assumption was that a person this tall who moved this slowly, must be very slow of mind and wit and well."
- Discussion point: What assumptions do you make based on appearances? Are others justified in making assumptions about us based on our appearance, religious belief, occupation, etc.?
"I imagined what it would be like to be able to walk around freely, anonymously, nothing about me remarkable in any way. Would I like it? Would I trade my fame if it meant that I never had to suffer fools hugging me to them ever again? I honestly did not know. And I was more than a little relieved that it was a moot point, after all."
- Discussion point: Have you ever wanted to be a movie star/sports hero/national leader/famous singer/etc.? Do we envy them without considering what they sacrifice in return for their fame? Would you be willing to pay the price in lost freedom and privacy?

Whether or not one agrees or disagrees with the authors portrayal of Vinnie and whether or not you think she was a good or bad person there is no disputing the fact that this tiny person had the courage to travel the world, meeting kings, queens and heads of state, and on one tour alone "traveled 55,487 miles (31,216 of them by sea) and gave 1,472 entertainments in 587 different cities and towns in all climates of the world without missing a single performance because of accident or illness" and this without most of the modern conveniences we enjoy today. That's a pretty amazing feat IMHO and deserves my admiration and respect, if for nothing else.

Little Person, Giant Ego

2011-09-11T00:21:00.000-07:00

JennyESP's review of The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin

The Writing:

The writing was very nice if you take it sentence by sentence. But those well-written sentences did not always move the story along. They sometimes just sat on the page looking pretty. And at times the dialog felt inauthentic, as if the characters were speaking for the sole purpose of informing the reader. (There would be long paragraphs of dialog from one character, saying things the other characters in the room had to have already known.)

The Pace:

Slow. Slow. Quick, quick, slow. I danced the Tango with this book, when I much prefer the Running Man. There were whole chapters that didn’t seem to add anything to the story and were, in fact, very dull. (Like chapter 5, for instance. You can skip chapter 5 and you won’t miss anything. Actually, you can skip the whole book and read about Vinnie Warren on Wikipedia.) Conversely, the parts of Vinnie’s life that I was particularly interested in reading about were skimmed over in a sentence or skipped entirely. For example, her courtship with her future little husband, Charles Stratton, Mr. Tom Thumb himself! I had to muck through 40% of the book, which included a lot of daily snobbery, before they finally met, only to have their courtship summed up in one unsatisfying “by the way, I agreed to marry Charles” sentence. (More on that relationship later…)

Mrs. Tom Thumb (aka Vinnie):

“Never would I allow my size to define me. Instead, I ~~would define it~~ would be defined as a self-absorbed, selfish, arrogant, condescending, uppity, heartless, cold, manipulative, opportunistic, cruel, self-righteous, judgmental hypocrite.” (Edits.)

The list of Vinnie’s unlikeable attributes grew and expanded as the story dragged on until any hope of redemption was lost. Although, such little effort was made to redeem this character that I have to wonder if the author intended for us to dislike Vinnie. Or perhaps the author and I simply define “strong, driven, independent female” differently. Either way, I utterly disliked Vinnie in an overwhelming contemptuous far-out way, and in the end, she killed this book for me. The most satisfying part of the book was when P.T. Barnum finally chewed her out, although it wasn’t nearly long enough and he failed to kick her into a thorny bush, as I was hoping. Vinnie never apologizes for her faults and never changes. If anything, she gets worse as the story progresses. Her mistreatment of her husband is particularly heartbreaking.

P.T. Barnum:

He was by far the best character in the novel. He shared many of Vinnie’s flaws, yet he was surprisingly down-to-earth and likeable. His relationship with Vinnie felt authentic.

General Tom Thumb (aka Charles Stratton):

Excuse me while I wipe the mud from this poor gentleman’s name.

Credibility (or lack thereof):

**spoilers ahead, and some frank talk about love-making, but I suggest you read on**

Charles Stratton was a real man. Vinnie Warren Stratton was a real woman. In this fictional autobiography, the author wants us to believe Charles and Vinnie never consummate their marriage.

Vinnie, the cold-hearted snake, only marries to advance her career. Unbeknownst to Charles, she never intends to consummate their marriage, or have children (adopted or otherwise, as children literally give her the heebie-jeebies). By the time the author is done with her, Vinnie is a 43-year-old, widowed virgin who is terrified of sex. Again, the author and I have different ideas about what makes a woman strong, driven, and independent.

Stretching the imagination even further, Charles, who married Vinnie for love, is blindsided by her unwillingness to consummate their marriage, but after a few rejections in the bedroom, he never presses the issue, never complains, and never strays from the marriage. He is given an almost child-like sensibility after that, as if he hasn’t any strong adult male desires. This is attributed to his small size and his “simplemindedness.”

I found this suggestion not only insulting, but lacking credibility. I read the author’s note at the end to see how she came to such bold conclusions about Vinnie and Charles, and found that the little evidence she gave to support her claims actually implies the opposite of how she portrayed them to be, if you ask me.

On Benjamin’s (author) website, she answers the question of how she balances “fact versus fiction” in her writing. Her reply: “I like to say that I never let the truth get in the way of a good story! There's a reason why "A Novel" is on the front of the book. It's fiction, and I trust the readers to know that it is. Always, my hope is that, after reading one of my books, the reader is then inspired to learn more about these remarkable people. However, I do use the known facts as a template; they're the "bones" upon which I hang the "skin"—the story, the fiction. But sometimes you do have to take liberties—although I always try to take them with people whose motivations are truly unclear in the historical record. Or with events whose details remain unknown to us.”

Oh, how I would've preferred if M. Benjamin had let a little more truth get in the way of her fiction! Her bones of facts were too easily broken. Indeed, I was inspired to read more about these real people, just as she hoped, and I believe she sold them short. Pun intended!

Here are some confirmed facts, not mentioned in the novel: Vinnie married an Italian Count (another little person) a few years after Charles’s death. She and the Count were together until her death, 34 years later. However, when she died, she was buried next to her first husband, Charles, and her grave stone simply reads “His Wife.” No name, no tiny life-size statue like her husband got, and no mention of her being a Countess. Just simply “His Wife.”

Yeah. They consummated their marriage, all right. In fancy hotels all over the world, including that weird little Mormon town in UT.

I know other people think you're all that but, well....

2011-08-28T22:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Vinnie,
I'm sorry to say it, but I don't like you enough to keep reading. I spent four nights with you. Four nights that I could have been doing something else like watching Seinfeld reruns or reading Twilight fan fiction, but I wanted to give you a chance. After reaching page 124, I just couldn't give you any more of my time. I'd been disappointed again. You're finally back home with your family and I'm not feeling the warmth you have for your sister that I thought you said you loved. The problem is this: I don't think your author really knows you. She can't explain to me why you do the things you do. From the very beginning there was this disconnect. A lack of authenticity. I first felt it when you decided to give up being a school teacher to join Colonel Wood. I wasn't set up well enough for that. I couldn't understand your decision-making for that one when I had thought you to be an intellectual school teacher. Your naivete was a bit jarring and, honestly, I never got the respect back. You left your little sister whom you said you loved and wanted to protect but you left without the approval of her or your family. What? That's not cool. So it was downhill from there. I'm sure you have a lovely story. Maybe someone else can sum it up for me in a paragraph or two.

Sincerely,
Your typical 5'2"gal in Meridian, ID, nothin' to write home about here

SRBC Book of the Month - A Markie Pick.

2011-07-18T09:15:00.004-07:00

Well, I had all but made up my mind to go with another Dystopian YA book and one that came highly recommended by my daughter Samantha. The book is called Divergent and while I'm sure its awesome, it's another first in a trilogy where the other books are yet to be written. I'm not a fan of being left hanging and I have such a short term memory that I always have to re-read the prior books again when the sequels come out so I usually prefer to wait until an entire series is finished before jumping into it. Having said that, my pick is not due to be released until a week from tomorrow (which works out nicely for me since we will be on vacation for the next week) so if you are interested you probably have time to read Divergent while you are waiting to get the official pick of the month - which is....

The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb: A Novel
Author: Melanie Benjamin

Discussion HERE for Heaven is For Real

2011-07-17T20:12:00.001-07:00

Heaven IS for Real, but .... what?

2011-07-17T18:27:00.001-07:00

I tried to cling to the few inspiring things this little boy had to say about his visit to heaven. But the more I read, the more 'off' it all was and left a bad taste behind. I have, many times, reconsidered his assertion that his miscarried sister was in heaven waiting. And I've tried to consider if that could really be possible. And yet, what I already know to be true just makes more sense. But, she was sad because nobody ever named her? I think if we're all children of God and knew Him before, He certainly had a name for us before we came to earth too, right? I also tried to imagine that maybe he saw / described heaven a certain way simply because he was such a young boy. But, that didn't really pan out for me either.

I love a good died-and-gone-to-heaven-and-came-back story. I watch I Survived... Beyond and Back often. I've seen probably more than a dozen different people on that show describing their experience. There is a consistent theme to them all. I love hearing people, who aren't well acquainted with religion, describing things, such as God's voice as sounding like thunder or the rushing of water. I love that they all realize in the end that there isn't an end. But none of them talk about wings or that sort of thing.

Does this make me a weirdie? I don't really care, actually. Whether or not the little boy really saw what he said he saw is beside the point, I decided. The fact that his parents are now fully subscribed to the idea of heaven and eternal families is a good thing I think. But I'm not jumping out of my skin to recommend this book to people. Or, recommending it at all. It's a good story in that it was such a hard experience for them to go through and the little boy lived. Hooray! Yikes. From growing up in WY I know about those hospitals where they aren't equipped or experienced enough to really know much of anything. So pitiful. Even this week, my nephew is finally coming to Denver for his third knee surgery because the guys in Casper couldn't figure it out. Sorry. I guess this is all beside the point.

Loved that it was a short read. Loved that it made me question a little. Love that I already sort of know pretty much most of the answers, kind of. :)

Landee Calls BS

2011-07-17T17:02:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness Pop had mentioned that he wanted to have Jesus in his heart a week before dying. PHEW!! Can you imagine if he hadn't? No heaven for you Pops! But luckily, that was all it took to get into the literal pearly gates.

But yeah. This book was no bueno, as my dear friend Flemsta would say.

Now, I'm not saying this book doesn't have its place in this world. It certainly does. Say, for example, you have no religion in your life. Say, you have lost a loved one and honestly don't know where they had gone. Perhaps you have never believed in anything higher than yourself yet you've felt the light of Christ in your life but didn't know what to call it. Then I can see this book being inspiring. I can see it giving hope where there is none.

Unfortunately for Todd Burpo that is not me.

Now, if there is, at some point an addendum added where, when the kid is 25 and meets the missionaries and they show him a pic of Joseph Smith and he's all "Wait...that's who?" and they're all "This is Joseph Smith" and he's all "Ok, this is weird.... he was like, the third dude who talked to me up in heaven but I am just remembering that now" and they're all "Well he restored the gospel to the earth" and he's all "Oh yeah! He mentioned that! Holy crap... when can I be baptized?" then fine.

Side notes:

Burpo is one of the most unfortunate last names I've ever heard.
Sonja sounds like a B.
I've been to the Butterfly Museum, Beebs has held Rosie the tarantula and I can testify that part of the story is true.
I do love that picture of Christ at the end by that little girl. Like, really really love. The hair is slightly Hasselhoff but I love the face.

The Correct Answer?

2011-07-17T16:02:00.000-07:00

I thought the book "Heaven Is Real" was clearly breaking the number one rule of the Smart Remarks Book Club - No nonfiction - but I was wrong. Heaven may be real, but the assertions in the book are pure fiction. I knew this at 8% through (Kindle version) when Colten mentioned that the Angels sang "Jesus Loves Me" and Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho". We all know that if this book were real the Angels would have been singing "I am a Child of God" and "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree".

The fact is that this story is completely tainted by the fact that the father of this misguided child is a Methodist Pastor. I just find it hard to accept that out of the over 4,200 religions out there that this boy comes back from his near death experience regurgitating everything that his dad had been preaching since the day he was born; including the interesting fact that we all sprout wings after we die. I hope mine are hunter green.

I would have found this story much more compelling and believable if this boy had returned from the other side telling about the 40 virgins that he is going to have waiting for him when he dies, or about the six manifestations of God - Ganesha, Shiva, Shakti, Vishnu, Surya, and Skanda - he spent time with; or if this had been a story written by a Budhist Monk who's son came back from the other side describing his meeting with Joseph Smith, or the Prophet Mohammed; or if it was the child of a Shinto Priest who claims he is now an Operating Thetan (see Scientology); Or if it had been a Mormon Bishop's son who's visit to the afterlife included an Easter mass.

The part at the morturary where they about had to gag and forcibly remove this kid from the room because of his panic attack about whether the deceased had Jesus in his heart was creepy. I think despite the insistance from Dad that he tried very hard not to ask any "leading" questions, the fact is that he had been "leading" this child since birth. I'm not saying that this kid, or even his parents were blatanly lying, but I think kids are much more observant than we give them credit for and this child drew on everything he had been taught and observed in his short little life to give an account of Heaven that fit perfectly with what his parents expected to hear.

Or I'm wrong and the correct answer is... The Methodists... yes Methodist is the correct answer. http://mormondirection.com/2008/10/18/the-final-exam-a-light-moment/

Check your DNA at the door and take out your ribbons, let's decode "Birth Marked" by Caragh M. O'Brien

2011-06-04T11:27:00.000-07:00

Jespy's (never-too-late) book review of Birth Marked by Caragh M. O'Brien

That opening birthing scene had me at "push". I mean... mothers forced to give up their babies to the government? Newborns with ankle tattoos? What the heck is not fascinating about that? And then Sgt. Leon Gray showed up and things got a whole lot fascinatinger. And THEN Gaia cut the baby from the corpse and things got the fascinatingest!

Yes, I liked this book. I liked Leon and how he was freakishly handsome. I liked the *basic* premise (government forces outlying society to hand over a quota of newborns in exchange for meager support). I liked the conflict between Gaia and Leon. I liked the entertainment value I got out of it. I will for sure read the next book in the series.

BUT...

In order to like this book, I had to suspend all logic and commonsense. Heavily. Otherwise I would have been asking myself the whole time...

Why would Gaia's dad bother to keep a coded list of births when the Enclave could simply use their DNA technology if they ever wanted to find birth families? Why would he want to keep that info from them in the first place?

Why didn't the Enclave simply use their DNA technology to find birth families? Are there no Maury reruns to reference in the future? (Say it ain't so!) They could take babies straight from the womb, but it was too much work to gather up women of a certain childbearing age and swab their mouth? Maybe ask them when they gave birth? When their last period was? Narrow things down a bit?

You know how the babies were given the choice to go back to their birth families when they turned 13? Well, how the heck would they know what family to go back to without any record of what family they came from? Wouldn't that be enough reason for the Enclave to keep a record of this stuff from the beginning?

You know how the Enclave only accepted healthy babies into their midsts? Well, why then, on the adoption records Gaia stole from the nursery, was there a separate column to list "Healthy boy" or "Healthy girl" if they were ALL healthy? Seems redundantly redundant to me.

Did Gaia's parents really have to disfigure the whole side of her face to keep her out of the Enclave? Couldn't they have done something cuter, like Tina Fey's scar? And why was the fact that she was intentionally scarred a surprise to Gaia, when it was perfectly obvious to everyone else?

Were there no brilliant minds in the Enclave who could decode a backwards alphabet written in reverse block letters? Were there no middle schoolers they could take out of class to crack the code?

You know when Mabrother Iris sharp-shooted the bird that was sitting right by Gaia's childhood BFF? Why didn't Gaia get the not-so-subtle hint? And after that happened, why did Mabrother Iris insist Gaia was smarter than her mother? (page 190, Gaia asked, "Why do you think I can solve [this super complicated code] when my mother can't?" His smile did not reach his eyes. "Because you're smarter.") Wha?

Other comments:

Every so often, the author did that thing where she recapped what the reader just learned... in case we didn't get it. She was real in-your-face about it too. Evidence, from the end of chapter 11:

"[Gaia] had rediscovered what it was like to be alive and hungry.

She had realized that the freckles were more than just a tribute to her brothers.

She was going to survive this interment and find a way out."

She could have prefaced that by saying, "So, to sum up what just happened..."

Regarding names. I know this shouldn't matter; I hated Gaia's name. I pronounced it Gee-ah, but I'm not good with triple vowels. When I found out it was actually pronounced "Guy-ah", I almost barfed. Granted, I had the the flu.

let's get this thing started

2011-05-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

Markie's Review of Birth Marked

2011-05-29T17:43:00.000-07:00

I don't have a lot to say about this one. It wasn't great, but it wasn't bad - somewhere in between The Hunger Games and The forest of Hands and Teeth. It was an interesting premise and good writing. I look forward to continuing the story, but I have a feeling that by the time the next book comes out I will have forgotten 95% of what happened in this one.

P.S. Has anybody seen Jespy lately??

Discussion time

2011-05-27T08:50:00.000-07:00

So, it's almost the end of the month and I was wondering if any of you have read the book and want to have the discussion this weekend. I was thinking Sunday night at 7pm pacific 8pm mountain. Let me know if this will work or if we need to wait another week.

Hunger Games Cast

2011-05-19T08:14:00.000-07:00

Okay so I admit I am a bit behind. Three books to be exact. But to be fair, I think we have had a decline in participation for awhile so I know I am not the only guilty one around this place.

I am going to actually download the latest book on audio and attempt to read/participate in a discussion if people are going to host something.

*But I digress.

The real reason for my post here is to comment on the Hunger Games Movie Cast. Have you seen it? If not, let me help you out:

Gale: Miley Cyrus' boyfriend

Not bad, not bad. He has broad shoulders, this should work out. I haven't seen his, what I am sure is epic, performance in the Last Song but if he keeps his mouth shut he can't screw up Gale too much. He is very pretty.

Katniss: Jennifer Lawrence, cheerleader extraordinaire.

Honestly when I saw her blonde chick/cheerleader pics I was not impressed but then I ran across a few gems from Winter's Bone like the one above where I was like, hey.... this could work out after all. I guess I wanted a brunette with olive skin, but it looks like she might have some acting skillz. I am giving her the bene of the doubt and going to be optimistic here.

Haymitch Abernathy: Woody.

Can anyone picture Woody Harrelson drunk? Wait, I mean, can anyone NOT picture Woody Harrelson drunk? Honestly I was shocked by this but wow, great pick. I have long-loved his ability to play both a total sleazeball and a completely nice, innocent and likeable guy. Totally versatile, and totally perfect for this. Plus he is aging pretty quickly so he is just about the perfect guy to play an older-seeming lush who can kick some serious a$$ if he needs to.

Okay so I don't really care about anyone else (though casting Stanley Tucci as Caeser Flickerman gives me great hope because I have never seen him in anything lame) but the REAL reason for this post is...

Peeta: My FAVORITE child actor of all time, Josh Hutcherson

If he is not your favorite, you obviously have not seen Bridge to Terabithia, Zathura, or Firehouse Dog. Only one of those movies is any good, but he is absolutely adorable in all of them. Very sweet, but also capacity to play a tough guy character. I cannot tell you enough how much I love this kid and I think that it is perfect. He is THE ultimately likeable underdog.

So.. your thoughts?

*Landeelu™

Book For May!!!!

2011-05-02T10:54:00.000-07:00

Yay!!! I got the go ahead to pick the book this month and I promise it won't disappoint. Since our discussions have been getting smaller and smaller I wanted to pick something gives us a lot to talk about. I hope the next discussion will be an epic one!!! Anyways I loved this book it has action and romance and a great story too, I hope you guys enjoy it!!
Birthmarked By Caragh M. O'Brien

In a dystopian world of the future, apprentice midwife Gaia, who has served the Enclave faithfully along with her parents, is thrust suddenly into a crisis. She delivers her first baby independently of her midwife mother and takes it to the Enclave inside the Wall as the first of her monthly quota of three newborns. Then her parents are arrested and she learns that they will soon be executed. Gaia springs into action and smuggles herself into the Enclave to rescue them. What follows is an exciting, almost breakneck adventure, as Gaia tries to discover what information the Enclave wants from her and her mother and tries to save both of them from prison. Along the way there is a mildly romantic turn to the story as Gaia develops a friendship and attraction to one of the soldiers, a man with a mysterious past. This world is one in which a small society, composed of an elite inside the Wall and a subservient class outside, is completely cut off from knowledge of anyone or anything outside of its borders. The rulers are authoritarian and mysterious and resemble a monarchy rather than the strictly ideological communitarian system in Lois Lowry's The Giver (Houghton, 1993). The cliff-hanger ending sets up the action for a sequel. Readers who enjoy adventures with a strong heroine standing up to authority against the odds will enjoy this compelling tale.

Discussion for Airborn

2011-05-01T20:17:00.001-07:00

Here's our discussion for Airborn. So what did you think?

Not The Worst

2011-05-01T20:14:00.000-07:00

This wasn't the worst book I read in the last 6 months. Compared to Dark and Hollow Places (new release in the Forest of Hands and Teeth Series) Airborne was a breath of mango scented fresh air. They were on a pretty cool deserted (mostly) island, trapped in a lagoon, with a village of 'others' that no one really knew was there. Kind of a weird combo of Gilligan's Island, LOST, Treasure Planet and Star Wars (thanks Markie). Miss Simpkins was fun, in a Mrs. Bennett sort of way. Mr. Cruse was like....well, um....anyway. I enjoyed reading it after I plowed through the first 1/3 of the book and got to some interesting stuff. I too couldn't figure out where I was at on the ship. I thought maybe it was just me, but I'm realizing some of you had trouble picturing everything what the author was describing.

I can easily count on one hand the number of books that I've just groaned over and hated. This was not one of them. On Good Reads, I'd probably give it 2.5-3 stars.

Saved by the Pirates

2011-05-01T18:19:00.000-07:00

Narrowing your nostrils is highly unattractive. Why was the author trying to convince us otherwise?

Anyway, I actually liked this book, despite a few problems and a slow beginning. It had a good vibe about it. I felt happy as I was reading it. And it contained pirates. Bad ones.

It started with an action scene (prologue)... and though parts of it were interesting, I had no idea what the H the author was describing. I could't picture any of it. It was all gondolas and bay doors and catwalks and portals and prongs and loops and wires and hoops and grapples and winches and propellers... DUDE! Just... stop. Just stop. I don't see it. This was a precursor to what would happen throughout the book. Long sections where I hadn't a clue what he was trying to describe, and I quickly gave up on ever figuring it out, I just let my eyes scan ahead until the dialog would pick up again. I'm glad to see others had this problem and so we can blame it 100% on the author and pat ourselves on the back for recognizing how bad he is at describing things.

Now, I have a sneaking suspicion that prologue was attached to the beginning to get the reader's initial attention, because I fully expected the adventure to continue, but instead, what came next was rather slow and dull. I mean, an air luxury cruise ship? Unexpected, right? I was thinking maybe an air pirate hunting ship, or an air patrol guard, and I was fully prepared to set a course for adventure, my mind on a new romance... but our hero, Matt Cruse, was merely a bell hop on a luxury cruise line?

About 25% (in Kindlese) into it, the pirates arrived and things finally picked up. There were definitely still problems with the scene descriptions, and some holes in the plot (ie. urgently needing to get Kate back to the airship asap so they could take off, but then discovering the pirates' hideout and suddenly having time to kill and needing to stall the pirates for an entire day), but it just turned into a fun read for me at that point. I liked the author's invention of Hydrium and that it smelled like mango, although I would have gone with dirty dishrag myself. I wasn't a huge fan of Kate at first, as she was so two-dimensional, a caricature of a modern woman more than an actual individual, but she grew on me as the story went on. Matt must be an old soul, since he felt more like 30 years old than 15 years old, but that can be forgiven. I wouldn't recommend this book to everyone, but overall, me likely.

Also, have you gize seen this movie? Best movie ever, by the same name.

PS. Anyone interested in picking the next book?

AIRBORED

2011-05-01T17:26:00.000-07:00

As long as we are pretending - pretending that balloons filled with an imaginary mango scented gas rule the skys, and pretending that there are winged panthers that spend their entire lives soaring in the clouds; we might as well go ahead and pretend that this story has some depth, more plot development, more interesting characters, more twists, and more fun.

For example, I pretended that instead of Hydrium Gas there was an all powerful force that bound everything together, that Bruce was a wookie, that Captain Walken had a good blaster at his side, that Kate was really Matt's sister, and that Szpirglas was actually his father. Really it was a much better story that way. Also, Lightsabers.

Cloud Cats Rule!

2011-05-01T17:17:00.000-07:00

Am I the only one who kept trying to narrow my nostrils? Yes? K, never mind then.

The bottom line is that I loved this book. I thought it was written well with some clever descriptions and phrasing stuck in here & there. I loved the characters....Matt, Kate, Baz, Miss Simpkins & the Captain guy of the Aurora (forgot his name) come to mind. It was entertaining and chock full of exciting situations Mr. Cruse needed to deal with. What more does one want from a book, right?

It did take me a little bit, however, to realize I wasn't going to be able to place the time period this is taking place. Then I started wondering "Is this one of those steampunk novels people keep talking about?" Thank goodness my question was answered when Jen from Cakewrecks/Epbot (who is obsessed with all things steampunk) did a post of all her favorite steampunk novels. Obviously Airborn was on that list or else I wouldn't be mentioning it now. She loved it. Although she also recommends some steampunk book by Scott Westerfeld and says "If you've read the Uglies series, then you know Westerfeld couldn't write a bad book if he tried." <---makes me think she has horrible taste in books.

I do think the book tends to repeat itself quite a bit and some of the coincidences were just TOO coincidental but none of it seemed to bother me. I just wanted to see how Mr. Cruse was going to get himself out of this one now. The people who I think would simply FLIP over how awesome this book is are my 11 and 9 year old sons. I may need to add this on to our nightly reading list.

I'll leave you with this... here is one person's idea of what the cloud cats looked like:

But oh how I wish they looked like this:

Regards, Landee

"That's my girl," I said, and took her hand.

2011-05-01T15:46:00.000-07:00

That was the last sentence of the book. He was always calling the Aurora his girl and now he's calling Kate his girl. Can you say cheesy? ::gag::

Airborn by Kenneth Oppel was full of gag-worthy moments and vomit-inducing repetitions. "Matt Cruse, light as air." I know, I know, I know.

The story started out a little slow but picked up quickly when pirates boarded their airship. When they landed on the island things got pretty exciting. That excitement remained until Kate and Matt accidentally beckoned pirates to rescue them. Big oops. It fell flat for me there. I couldn't quite wrap my head around this uneventful, not-very-exciting way for the pirates and Matt and Kate to come together. Oh well. I did enjoy watching them squirm as they had to then pretend to be something they were not and devise a plan of escape.

Still not sure how Matt escaped out of that hammock. In fact, I'm not quite sure of anything in this book. I felt like I was only half a participant in this story since I never grasped any of the author's descriptions. The airship looks like what? Wait, how did that happen? He survived yet another death-defying moment how? I'm not sure if I didn't have my brain fully screwed on while I listened to this story or what, but I could not "see" anything. I just had to be content to listen and hope the author got the descriptive parts over with quickly so I could get on with the dialogue.

Kate. Yeah, I liked Kate. I thought her character was well developed and I enjoyed her ahead-of-her-time personality. However, when she got herself into trouble for the umpteenth time I wanted to smack her.

The plot was alright. Less life or death situations would have made it more exciting. Matt was constantly being put in unbelievable situations where death seemed to be imminent. The constant overcoming of the impossible grew tiresome for this reader and anti-climatic.

I thought the cloud cats were totally stupid. I thought they were supposed to be birds, not cats.

Aside from these annoyances, I liked the book. However, I hope they make-out more in the next one.

I am so lame

2011-04-28T22:40:00.000-07:00

I completely forgot our book discussion last Sunday. Can we reschedule for Sunday, May 1st at 9pm MST?

Get Ready to be Airborn

2011-03-13T00:20:00.000-08:00

I know I'm extremely late announcing this month's book. I guess I've just had my head in the clouds.

Dear Flavia

2011-02-20T17:09:00.000-08:00

"I have this weird patch of skin on my tummy I've been needing the answer to. Also, there is a really annoying teacher at my kids school that I'd love to "poison" with the birthday cupcakes I send in. Not only are you charming and rascally all at the same time, but your love and affection for you highly dysfunctional family cannot be hidden by your attempts at ambivalence. Your keen intellect and startling grasp of chemistry makes me wanna name my bike and ride her all over town. Please be my new BFFF (best friend from fiction)?

Love, Memzy"

I'm off to Shed's grammy's 80th birthday party. But I just wanted to chime in here real quick like. I loved this book. I cannot believe the author is a 60+ year old male! I've already read the next two Flavia de Luce mystery novels with gusto. I even named a recent necklace purchase my "Flavia" necklace.

Are you gize gonna do this or what?

Sweetness

2011-02-15T13:48:00.000-08:00

Read like the wind!

Book discussion will occur this coming Sunday, Feb 20th!

Time: I know this isn't the norm, but does 5pm (pct) 6pm (mst) work for everyone? Speak now or forever hold your peace.

The Scorched Trails has dried up, time for a new book

2011-01-12T12:23:00.001-08:00

It's a new year, and this book club could use a rejuvenation. I've been doing some research to find a book choice that could do the trick. My research actually yielded a long list of potentials, but I thought we should start with something fun and adventurous, something with a fresh and clever voice. That sound good? Good.

So, over the next four weeks, please enjoy

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

(Can I use "charming" in the same sentence as "murder and mystery"? Well I'm going to, with or without your permission, thank you very much!)

It's a charming story of murder and mystery.

The Scorch Trials it is.

2010-11-17T14:07:00.001-08:00

This Months Book

2010-11-12T21:20:00.000-08:00

You have 3 choices and 3 days to decide.

Option #1: Fallen by Lauren Kate

Luce must spend her senior year at reform school after her boyfriend dies in a mysterious fire. She suspects that the dark shadows that have tormented her all her life had something to do with it. When she meets supernaturally gorgeous Daniel, she feels a familiar longing, making her believe they have met before. Although Cam is clearly interested in her, Luce only wants Daniel, who runs both hot and cold. He tries to keep Luce at a distance, telling her that the truth would kill her as it has many times before. The first chapter is gripping and foreshadows the supernatural elements to come. The plot revolves around lovers who find one another, only to lose one another over and over again in a story that spans centuries. Instead of vampires, though, these are fallen angels. Many elements are not resolved, such as the cause of the fire and why angels are at this school. Still, fans of supernatural romance will be lining up for this book despite its flaws, and begging for a sequel.

Option #2: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Option #3: The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles. No more variables. And no more running. Thomas was sure that escape meant he and the Gladers would get their lives back. But no one really knew what sort of life they were going back to.

In the Maze, life was easy. They had food, and shelter, and safety . . . until Teresa triggered the end. In the world outside the Maze, however, the end was triggered long ago.

Burned by sun flares and baked by a new, brutal climate, the earth is a wasteland. Government has disintegrated—and with it, order—and now Cranks, people covered in festering wounds and driven to murderous insanity by the infectious disease known as the Flare, roam the crumbling cities hunting for their next victim . . . and meal.

The Gladers are far from finished with running. Instead of freedom, they find themselves faced with another trial. They must cross the Scorch, the most burned-out section of the world, and arrive at a safe haven in two weeks. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.

Thomas can only wonder—does he hold the secret of freedom somewhere in his mind? Or will he forever be at the mercy of WICKED?

You must vote before the sun sets on the third day.

Not A Complete Piece of Klunk

2010-11-08T22:07:00.000-08:00

Storyline: Good

Repetitive Writing: Bad

I don't have particularly high standards when it comes to the writing of the books I read, but The Maze Runner seemed to be a 100 page story that the editors made Mr. Dashner turn into a 400 page book. To do so he added a paragraph stating his inability to recall his former life every page. Then he added a paragraph discussing Thomas' "unexplainable desire to be a runner" in every other page or so. Then numerous paragraphs dispersed throughout explaining how things seemed familiar but he couldn't tell anyone...again & again & again.

WE GET IT, DASHNER!! Fhs.

That being said, I liked the book & will be reading the second one. I'm interested to see where this goes and, with annoying Chuck out of the way and stud Minho still around, I'm thinking it can only get better.

Official The Maze Runner Discussion: All Hail Google Wave!!

2010-11-08T21:53:00.000-08:00

This is an interactive discussion. It's not too late to add your two cents, shuckface!

Who shuckin' farted? Was that you Minho?

2010-11-08T20:04:00.000-08:00

So how does an self-respecting, Christian author get around foul, inappropriate language? Create new, different foul language of course. Oh shuck it folks, I didn't really mind that much. Especially since it was the entertainment factor for me. I think I "lol"ed at every clunk and shuck in the book. The insulting part was the fact that the author expected me to believe that in this new world they're in where the kitchen is still the kitchen and a rock is still a rock and a guy is still a guy, crap/poop/shit, or whatever you want to call it, is clunk. Clunk? What the shuck?

Word replacements are fun and I've used many of them in my lifetime since I don't typically curse. But gosh dang, I may drop an s-bomb if the situation calls for it. Why an author would make up their own words for curse words, I don't know. Could be trying to pull a JK Rowling, that genius of writer, (who actually pulled it off), I don't know. But like I said, I did find it entertaining. Almost as entertaining as the laugh I got at the last chapter when "Minho farted three times in the last minute." I think this was a first for me. I've never read about a character farting before. I understand Dashner is writing about teenagers for teenagers, but I always believed that fictional characters, despite their age, are elevated people. Consequently we don't want to read about their stinky farts.

At the end of book James Dashner credits Krista Marino for "an editing job that defies description." Ha! If you ask me Krista Marino missed a thousand possible edits. They were all over the place from pacing to description to language to plot development, etc, etc. I couldn't really enjoy this book because of the terrible writing. Creative Writing 101, show, don't tell. It's quite possibly the most important thing about writing a good story. Don't shuckin' tell me about your characters, Dashner, show me. Suzanne Collins, another genius, has this down to a science.

Dashner could also take a lesson from Collins in pacing. This was my second biggest complaint. It seemed the story didn't even begin until the middle to end of the book. And often information was repeated which slowed the pace. Sometimes I wanted to pull my hair out and yell, "I know, Dashner, you've already explained that a million times, now get on with it." Since I listened to this book on audio CD the pacing and choppiness were even more distinct. Not to mention wordiness. Hello, you could have stated that long paragraph with one simple sentence (another wonderful Collins technique). The story didn't flow and there were point of view changes that bothered me, especially in the beginning of the book. It felt as if Dashner wrote the book over a long period of time picking up where he left off but having to familiarize himself with the story again. Thus, the pacing was slowed and the characters and plot never went anywhere.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed listening to the book. I will most likely read the series. I still have to figure out what scientist Teresa is named after. That's been puzzling me. Great pick Sam! It's time for the discussion so I better go.

Klunk yeah!

2010-11-08T19:34:00.000-08:00

I shankin' love made up words. Klunk yeah!

As far as the actual book, The Maze Runner, goes, I enjoyed it very much.

The main reason why is... klunk happened. And by that, I mean stuff happened. A lot of stuff. It never stopped, never slowed, new revelations and conflicts and action just kept coming. I liked Tommy's willingness to take action. This made me like Tommy. This made for a nice pace.

On the negative side, I felt like the writing was sub-par. Some of the characters were like cardboard versions of real people. I didn't feel Tommy's pain when Chuck died. Just didn't feel the connection between the two shankers. Don't feel much between Tom and Teressa either, but maybe that develops more in book two? Things were often overstated as well, as if the author didn't trust us to "get it." He would show a scene, and then have the main character tell us what we just saw. I dunno, that's just a personal peeve of mine.

That said, I still liked the book very much, and can't wait to read the rest of series. I heard the second book is even better, true?

Thanks for the pick, Sam! See you klunk heads at the discussion!

PS. Click HERE to get to the google wave discussion if you're lost.

--Jespy's hasty review of The Maze Runner

What the shank?

2010-11-08T19:32:00.000-08:00

I didn't like this book. I thought the idea and concept was AWESOME. I thought the author's creativity and enthusiasm shine. You can tell this author is really into his writing.... like.....in his mind. I just wish that translated onto the pages for me. I felt like it lacked something. How many times can he say that Thomas is drawn to the maze and can't remember anything? I WANTED to connect with the characters, I really did. But I wasn't sad when any one of them died. Not. At. All.

That being said, the idea is genius. It's worthy of a series and after I finish the other book I've got I'll be trying out round 2 (which is why I skipped that spoiler above). And now that Markie tells us it's success was due to HG?!!!!! Say no more.

Running Through a Maze

2010-11-08T18:59:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not, I not only started the book, but I finished it as well. For reals. I actually liked it and can't wait for the second book. Funny Markie should mention the link to Hunger Games, cuz that's what it reminded me a bit of.
There were times when the writing bugged me, but I'd just skip a few paragraphs and then it'd be all good. I enjoyed the characters, but wasn't completely attached to them. When Chuck died and Thomas cried like he lost his brother, I just thought, "They'd only known each other a week right?" I was sad, but no actual tear was shed.
I am hoping that since Gally turned out to be alive that maybe Chuck or Alby will show up along the way too. I loved the ending with the letter from WICKED.
I'll elaborate more during the dicush, but for now, I gotta go watch House with Dwight.

I didn't finish the book...

2010-11-08T18:29:00.001-08:00

But in my defense, Wolfe flooded the upstairs AND downstairs of my house with poop water and it has been crazy ever since. I could have read the book in the beginning of the month before the flooding, but that is not my style. I did read the beginning of the book and it is a little slow moving but I see the potential. I will pop by the discussion to say hi and and such but won't stay because I don't want any spoilers. Sorry, Sammy!

Loved It!!!

2010-11-08T17:25:00.000-08:00

I seriously can't find anything bad to say about this book, except for the sad fates of Chuck and Alby, but there is no way that there wasn't going to be at least one fatality in their situation. It was so cool how they managed to organize everything (even if it seemed unrealistic). I loved how they had different jobs set up and their own slang. The never ending mysteries of the maze made me need to keep reading to finally figure out what was going on. I was pretty shocked at the twist at the end when Chuck got stabbed to save Thomas (I even got a little teary). It was hard for me to except the fact that Chuck and Alby were gone because I really loved their characters. But, that didn't change the fact that I really love this book. With mystery, grievers, action, and twists whats not to like about it.

Book 2 Spoiler Alert!!!!

Book 2 was amazing for me too. I think I liked it more than the first book. The shanks hiding out in the desert were really creepy. Again plenty of Action and new questions to leave you wondering. I still can't figure out what is going on; how Thomas managed to get through the scorch alive, what the shank is going on with Teresa, and what WICKED is really after, but I have full faith that James Dashner will answer all my questions in the last book and leave me with a good ending (he better).

Good That

2010-11-08T15:46:00.000-08:00

As always, I love to get lost in a story and I thought Mazerunner was pretty cool. It felt a little - off that all of those poor boys spent that much time in the darn maze without a single anything until Thomas showed up. What the klunk were they doing that whole time? Also amazing that they were mature enough to have such a functioning society without any real adults anywhere. Teenage boys, man. Perhaps just the perception that someone was watching, delivering necessary items, more people or whatever was enough to keep them in line. Anyway......I liked the idea. Kind of Truman-esq and all. I loved that they had their own cuss words. It was fun, like rabbit speak. I found my heart pounding at certain moments, like when Thomas went all tharn in the maze, in the vines. Yikes! At others I was kind of wishing it would move along already. It seemed like Thomas kept thinking the same things over and over and over again. Ok...we got it. He can't remember. Now let's move on already.

The second book - uh, have you people read the second book? Should I say anything about it or just give you a spoiler warning? Spoiler warning given.

I enjoyed the second book too. Some parts seemed to kind of drag on and on and on. That lightening was nasty business and I hated that it seemingly took for ev er. But darn it all if it isn't another book ending with another non-ending and now we have to wait how long for the third to come out? I'll read it.

Bottom line, I enjoyed it. Not the top of my list but an entertaining few days and then another entertaining few days when I read the second. Good that.

Markie's Shanktastic Maze Runner Review

2010-11-08T14:32:00.000-08:00

First of all, I just have to say how proud I am to have another one of our book selections come from a BYU graduate, and one of my neighbors. Well, not a next-door neighbor, but he lives somewhere around here. And he is like, everywhere. He is constantly making appearances at local bookstores, libraries, campuses, etc. along with other local YA/Fantasy/Sci-Fi Authors like Brandon Mull, Shannon Hale, and Brandon Sanderson. It's kinda cool. I recently attended a Brandon Mull book signing in the BYU bookstore where I purchased every single Fablehaven book in hardcover, and had him sign them... along with posters, and bookmarks for the series. I still haven't decided if I'm going to keep the collection, or sell it on e-bay (and then buy the paperbacks or Kindle editions so I can actually read them).

A little story about James Dashner...
One of my student employees was taking a writing class here at BYU taught by Brandon Sanderson (who is HUGE right now because of his being chosen by the widow of the late Robert Jordan to finish the epic "Wheel of Time" series; and having just released the second to the last book in that ginormous series, and is now making millions of dollars, but still teaching at BYU, 'cause that's just the way he rolls) and one of the guest speakers in his class was non other than James Dashner.

He told me that JD told the class that he had pitched his Maze Runner series for years with little to no interest - being turned down by one publisher after another. He had just about given up on hope when a little book called The Hunger Games became a huge sensation and suddenly publishers, who wouldn't give him the time of day before, were calling him up and flying him all over, wining & dining him, and making him all kinds of incredible offers. I thought you might be interested to hear that the Maze Runner owes its success to The Hunger Games.

Now, how did I like the book? I liked it. Can't say I loved it, but it was interesting and well developed. I think how I ultimately feel about it will entirely depend on the outcome of the final book - whether the author answers all the questions or will it be another "Lost" kinda series (all questions, no answers); and will there be any redemption in the end for all the suffering and loss - or will Thomas and Teresa be another permanently damaged pity couple. At my current spot (about 2/3 of the way through the second book) I am highly engrossed. I think it's getting better and better - more intense, more interesting... but it's also getting harder and harder to imagine how this can all possible end well.

I like the whole zombie angle the story has taken, but that also brings to mind another Zombie book we read that started out very interesting and promising and ended up ticking the heck out of me. But for now, I will keep hope alive, and pray those WICKED shuck faces get the klunk beat out of them; and that T&T can build a flare-free life together when it's all over. For now I think this was a great pick, and I can't wait to read the rest. Thanks Sammy!

maze runner discussion

2010-11-01T11:42:00.001-07:00

Sorry it took me so buggin long to post this. I was crazy busy with Halloween this weekend. Anyways the discussion will be on Monday Nov. 8th at 8pm pacific 9pm Mountain. I can't wait!!!!!!

Just checking in

2010-10-14T11:11:00.000-07:00

It's almost halfway through the month and I just wanted to see how everyone is doing on The Maze Runner. I just started the second book The Scorch Trials and its soooo good! I hope to see everyone at the discussion, I think its gonna be a good one!

October's book

2010-09-27T22:00:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to have the privilege of picking this months book. I really never used to read at all and ever since this book club came about it has ignited an addiction to reading that can't be stopped. So far this year I have read 37 books which made picking this months book super hard, but I was able to narrow it down and pick one.

The book for this month is......................................

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Amazon Description:

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

__________________________________________________________________

I loved this book so much and am really excited for you guys to read it! It is a trilogy and the sequel comes out on October 17th so if you're up for a challenge you can try to read the second book too when it comes out. Here is a cheesy book trailer for the Maze Runner, see you guys at the end of the month for the discussion. Enjoy!!!!

Mockingjay Discussion (All Hail Google Wave!)

2010-09-27T20:00:00.000-07:00

Check out our SRBC discussion of Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins via Google Wave! You should be able to add your own comments to the discussion. Give it a try! (If you're reading this on Google Reader, you have to come to the SRBC site to see what we're seeing.)

Mockingjay Discussion coming up: Get Ready to Ride the Wave

2010-09-27T19:13:00.000-07:00

This is just a reminder that the discussion for Mockingjay will be happening over at Google Wave. Hopefully everyone who plans to participate tonight has an account, or can whip one up quick.* I have started the wave, but please don't start typing until 8pm (pst) / 9pm (mst) so no one has to play catch-up. I am missing McLaughlin for sure. What's your email or user name? If I am missing anyone else, tell me in the comments. See ya there.

Now, here are some super thought-provoking questions to get things going:

**spoilers**

Do you think the title Mockingjay is a fitting conclusion for this series? Why or why not?

Was District 13 what you expected?

Compare/contrast Panem with the rebels.

What surprised you most about the book?

Would you change anything about the book? What and why?

How did you feel at the conclusion? Dead inside? Why?
What was the most gut-wrenching part of the book?
Rate the book 1-5.
How lame are these questions?

This Book Sucked. Real or Not Real.

2010-09-27T18:16:00.000-07:00

REAL!

Reasons why:

1. Katniss hiding in the corner, rocking while in the fetal position through 90% of the book.

2. All the relationships dissolved including the new ones that were being formed. Example, Katniss and Johanna were totally becoming BCF's (Best Crazies Forever) and then Johanna got a little scared of some fake water and we never hear from her again. WTH???

3. No closure on anything except of Peeta on the last last page of the book. What happened about Gale, her mom, Haymitch. I needed more. I needed to feel like her mom kinda liked her and cared about her.

4. Why save Prim's life in the beginning of Hunger Games if your just going to kill her off in this book??? Katniss pulling out those berries indirectly killed Prim just like Gale's bomb indirectly killed Prim. What was the point????

5. Katniss didn't kill Pres. Snow. The whole mission was a suicide mission that she lied to do, which would have been fine, and I feel lees bad about Finnick's death had she succeeded. Even when she finally got the opportunity to kill him, she only had one arrow and had to use it on Pres. Coin. They should have giving her a few arrows so she could have done both.

6. Why did everyone have to go crazy???

7. I don't feel too comfortable with Annie raising that baby by herself.

8. Although it was funny that Peeta tried to kill Katniss when they first reunited, I didn't like that he hated her through most of it. It was fun at first but I wanted him to get back to normal quicker.

9. I hated that Katniss was only a commercial thing. I wanted her to be more involved. Fight for what was right. Save lives. Do something other than wonder around, shooting Propos and being drugged.

10. I hated hated HATED after she killed Pres. Coin and she just went completely crazy. Laying in a bed trying to starve to death, or being at home rocking in front of the fireplace. She was no longer a strong level headed girl that she was in the other books.

On the bright side though, I loved getting to know some other characters better such as Finnick. I loved hearing about all the creepy stuff about Snow, especially why he smelled like blood and roses. I also liked that Coin was just as bad. I loved it when Katniss visited District 8 and made all the hospital patients feel good right before they were bombed. It was great that she fought back in 8 and would have been good had she done that through the whole book. And most importantly, I loved the last paragraph of the book and the closing line between Peeta and Katniss. So sweet and romantic! Still, I will NEVER read this depressing, let down of a book again. Real or not real....

Sam's Mockingjay Review

2010-09-27T13:39:00.000-07:00

I am so happy that I am not the only one that loved this book. I totally agree with Memzy. I love the books that I can't put down or stop thinking about when their over.

Mockingjay wasn't full of joy and happiness but I didn't expect it to be. It was inevitable that a lot of people were going to die because their mission to destroy the capital was near impossible. Of course I was sad when Finnick and Prim died horrible deaths but it kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to find out who made it through.

Though Katniss went through so much she almost fell off her rocker I think she accomplished what she set out to do. I think it was Peeta she was meant and in the end I felt she was happy with what she had. They were still both a little broken from the events that had taken place but at least they had eachother to get through it.

It doesn't surprise me that Haymitch continued down his path as an alcoholic. It didn't really seem like there was much left to keep him going.

The only thing that bothered me a lot was Gale. I think he turned out to be the biggest jerk. Designing the bomb that blew up Katniss' sister then selfishly leaving Katniss in the end to work for the government. I don't think he really ever supported her throughout the book either, he just kind of had his own agenda. Which is another reason why I'm glad she ended up with Peeta.

Despite this, I loved Mockingjay. I read it in less than 2 days and couldn't stop thinking about it afterwards. The characters I loved the most lived and ended up together which is more than I really expected. It's so exciting that their making a movie out of it (I love books into movies, no matter how cheesy they may turn out to be).

Tears. For real.

2010-09-27T13:33:00.000-07:00

I didn't know what was going to happen either. I was hoping for a couple of things. Like, that Katniss wouldn't die and stuff. I have to agree wholeheartedly with Markie AND with Memzy. It was gutwrenching and sad and depressing but I loved it anyway. I finished the book and I found myself weeping. Just a couple of tears. 'What is this?', I thought. And I'd wipe them away and continue on with my busy-ness and there they'd come again. And so I'd try to own them, let them happen and then find myself laughing - thinking, 'This is ridiculous. It's a book, fhs.' Wipe them away and it would start yet again. I'd start visualizing Katniss and Peeta and their two little kids and how the world just continued regardless of the dead, the torture, the nightmare, the trauma, the games. It killed me. It was SO sad. So very sad. I just wanted to break down and hurt for them. I can't think of more than three books that have had this sort of effect on me. Bravo, S. Collins. Bravo.

I also read solely for entertainment. I love to get lost in the story, pretend I'm part of it, visualize it all in my mind. I hated District 13. I didn't like District 12 either, but at least their time was their own. Coin was a dictator from the get-go and I love that Katniss knew it already. Coin needed to die and Katniss needed to be the one to do it. But Snow needed an arrow too. Kind of a anticlimactic whatever that he died coughing. Booorrrrring.

One of my neighbors thought this was an anti-war book. I stick my tongue out and spit at that. Give me a break. Anti war...... Bull crap. It was about a war. It wasn't a happy ending. But I refuse to believe that S. Collins wrote it just to make a point about war. It was a brilliant fictional creation and I will always love how much I got lost in it.

Real or Not Real? -------------Very Real

2010-09-27T12:51:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to have no expectations going into this book.  This is a rare thing and I treasured it.  I had absolutely NO IDEA how S. Collins was going to wrap this thing up.  How could she possible make the love triangle between Katniss and G and P all better?  She couldn’t damnit and I don’t blame her. I loved deeply all the characters in this book and cared about what happened to them. But life is not wrapped up in perfect little bows and ending like Full House with the sweet sentiments and the music as the message of that episode really comes full circle (RIP Uncle Jesse R.I.P.)  

Sure I like a feel good book just like anybody else does.  Our Potato Peel Pie and The Help phases will live on forever in my heart.  And I loved them.  I also like the sci-fi/fantasy phases we’ve gone through.  Who doesn’t love a society where you can plastically surgify your face any way you want and are called a “Pretty”?  Or what’s not enjoyable about having the hots for vampires and werewolves?.  (I’m totally looking at you Edward….er…Jacob….er…..)

I love reading for the love of reading, getting lost in a book, wanting to find out what happens next, pretending I AM Katniss Everdeen and must choose between the two men I love…  And the point I’m trying to make is this:

The books that speak to my heart and my soul, that I can’t stop thinking about for days or weeks or even years later, that I talk about to my husband or my friends, that I dream about at night are the books that don’t always wrap up into tidy little packages.   

If you took a look at my top ten books of all time well over half of them are books that speak of tragedy, sorrow, lost loves, uncontrollable circumstances and the characters that come out of them and triumph.  Sure, maybe they’re damaged because of it.  Maybe they are changed forever.  Maybe they will never be the same,.  But they are here and they are waking up every day and surviving.  And THAT is what resonates with me.  Guess what?  Life SUCKS sometimes.  In fact, a lot of the time life is hard. 

And no matter if you are a young woman living in a  post-apocalyptic society and continually get beaten down by those unfair and evil forces in the world .........or if you’re a mid 30’s housewife living in 21st century America struggling with the  crappiest year of your life to date.........

You get up every day and survive.

That’s why I loved Mockingjay with a passion.  And no one can convince me of anything different.  

The Hunger Games. Damaged. Forever.

2010-09-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

I pick up my copy of Mockingjay. Anticipation. Excitement. I read it with my wife. I sit down with my laptop and write a review. In the style of Suzanne Collins. Periods. Where there should be no periods. Short, first person sentences. It doesn’t really bother me. I’m used to her writing style.

I love the first two books so much. I know this one will be great. Mistaken. Frustration. Sadness. Disbelief. Anger. Why Suzanne? Why?

Poor Katniss and Peeta. By the end of book one the characters that I have come to love, have been through a horrible ordeal. But they survived it. Their trials have changed them in ways that only made them stronger, wiser, more endearing to me.

By the end of book two, they have been through more horrible ordeals. Peeta - captured. Katniss - really ticked off. But I feel that once again, they have survived it, and come out stronger. I can’t wait until they get their revenge on the Capitol and President Snow.

By the end of book three, they have survived the toughest trials yet. Gale has died in a very heroic act saving Katniss and/or Peeta from sure destruction. Katniss has killed President Snow, and Peeta is the new President of Panem. Katniss and Peeta move their families to the Capitol, are married, have kids, and visit Gale’s grave semi-annually. Joy. Renewal. Triumph. Justice. Reflection.

That is how this story should have gone.

Instead, there is no joy for me at the end of Mockingjay. Instead there is only sadness. Loss. Longing. For what might have been. This time the trials have been too much for the heroes. The violence. The loss. The torture. The grief. The pain. Have left Katniss and Peeta broken beyond repair. They are no longer the people I love. Now they are the people I feel sorry for. The people I pity.

It’s "The Book Thief" all over again. No matter that the main character survived. All she loved is gone. Nightmares of her brother dead on the train. Nightmares of her mother’s abandonment. Nightmares of picking through the blown up body parts of her friends and family. Scarred. Forever. No matter that the Jewish guy survived. His life of captivity, torture, seeing the worst in humankind, has left him damaged. Forever.

Peeta: Drugged. Torutured. Brainwashed. Images of body parts being hacked off. Nightmares. Real or not Real? Deal or no Deal? NO DEAL. Burned. Scarred. Damaged. Forever.

Katniss: Burned. The girl on fire – Literally. Gale gone. Mother gone. Prim Dead. Cinna Dead. Finnick Dead. Married to Peeta. Not because she finally realized he was the man of her dreams. Not living happily ever after. No. They keep each other from committing suicide. They make awaiting the sweet release of death somewhat bearable.
Nightmares. Scarred. Damaged. Forever.

Prim: DEAD! The sister that Katniss sacrificed all for. The sister who’s happy future would have made all the suffering worthwhile. Innocence lost. Burned. Dead.

Gale: Created the bomb that killed Prim. NOT dead. But living apart from the girl he loves. The girl who is now with Peeta; but not happy. Instead, damaged. Gale: Living forever with the guilt that he is partially responsible for Prim’s death. Scarred inside. Damaged. Forever.

Haymich: Still drunk. Still scarred. Damaged. Forever.

President Snow: Coughed to death. Evil eradicated? No. Evil is everywhere.

Mockingjay Cake: Flour and water. No sugar. Frosting the color of black Texas crude.

Markie: Sad. But not damaged forever.

Mockingjay... CHANGE

2010-09-20T10:02:00.000-07:00

Imma keep this brief. In keeping with SRBC tradition, I'm going to make our Mockingjay discussion date/time super confusing by suggesting we move it from Sunday the 26th, to Monday the 27th. Same time (8pst, 9mst). Will Monday night work for everyone who plans to join this here discussion? Let me know asap so I can write the date in stone.

Furthermore, to further confuse everyone, for the first time ever, we are going to use Google Wave for our discussion, as per Markie's ~~nagging, relentless~~ gentle request. Google Wave is super fun, and I think Markie is right, that it will make for a better discussion experience.

If you don't know what Google Wave is or how to use it, don't panic, I will hold your hand and walk you through this process as if you were a new born babe. But first, I'll need to know who's going to be there (so I can include you in the discussion), and I'll need to know if you have a Google Wave account.

Trust me. This'll be the most fun. Google Wave.

Mockingjay

2010-09-15T11:47:00.000-07:00

I'm gonna keep this brief. Mockingjay discussion. Sunday, September 26th. 8pm (PCT) 9pm (MST). Do not miss this discussion. It's gonna be huger than Donald Trump.

August's Book Announcement

2010-08-04T14:40:00.000-07:00

I have let a few days lapse before announcing this month's book choice, and I could not help but notice that nobody noticed. In fact, I suspect a good handful of you were relieved there was no new book to read. Shame on you. Shame. On. You. (And me.)

I have also noticed that our book reviews/discussions this summer have been sparser than the leaves on the dying peach tree in my backyard. Do you gize not have much time for reading this summer? Is my drip system broken? Did you all plan your vacations on the last week of every month? Did I pay my water bill? I don't know the answers to any of these questions, and I guess it really doesn't matter anyway. The tree is dead. Face it.

So, here's what's what.

For the first time in the history of the SRBC, there will be no book choice this month. Instead, I strongly demand that you all use this time to reread a few important books from SRBC past. That's right. I'm talking about The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins.

This will get you ready for September's book club pick, which will be Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, duh. It's comes out on August 24th, and I'm sure everyone will read it super quick, so we might have our discussion earlier than usual. We shall see. Stay tuned for that info.

Also, I strongly demand that you use your free reading month to bake and decorate a cake. A Hunger Games cake. Check my blog for more info on that later. That is all.

In Response to Recent Comments...

2010-08-04T13:09:00.000-07:00

and because I totally over-did it and Comments said I had more than 4,096 characters..........

Oooh! Look at all of these belated discussion comments!! So awesome. This book is a slow-cooker, I think.

So....it's been just long enough since I finished the book that I can't get into too much detail. I can't remember enough to defend myself. But, I will say; regarding the betrayal from Snow Flower to Lily, it wasn't even Snow Flower's betrayal to begin with. It was the matchmaker. And her parents. All of the grownups who KNEW what the deal was. Sure, after their friendship was developed and the girls were older, SF could have told her the real truth, but don't you imagine she was terrified that she'd lose her best friend? I'd be bold enough to suggest that we all have things that we hold secret from even our dearest and bestest friends, simply because we are either ashamed or because we just don't know how to share such painful details. Her family's situation, in that culture, was a massive blow to their social standing. Worse even than being married to a butcher. I just hate that Lily held SF so responsible for the deception. Being one who was so true to the traditions and 'rules' she might have been a little more compassionate. Wouldn't she have done the same? Did SF really have a choice? Lying is definitely contrary to the ten commandments, but I don't think in SF's position, it was despicable. How much control do any of us have over where we come from, the families we are attached to? I have to also say that I think it's an interesting perspective that all women during that time had the same personality type. Really? I mean....really? That can't be true in any culture, in any time period, in any situation. Books and movies and stories are quite often based on people in such difficult situations who break free of the stereotype and prove that despite their cultural responsibilities, they are still individual and unique. I also wanted to throw in my two cents about Lily's advice to SF. Was it unwanted? SF ate it all up. And wasn't Lily just saying what she knew to be the 'right' thing to say? She was shrewd enough to know that she had landed an honorable position as Lady Lu and she had a namesake to uphold, a responsibility.

I certainly agree that bed business in front of everyone by the fire was GROSS. But the man beat her fhs! If you were married to a man who beat you...and he wanted to get it on by the fire - would you choose the risk of public awareness of your bed business or take a beating? I'm just sayin.' We really didn't get much of SF's perspective and maybe there was more going on there than Lily was aware of.

Having been someone who was ridiculed, teased, ostracized and punished for family dynamics I couldn't control, for personality traits I had simply been born with and for behavior that resulted from abuse I not only couldn't have avoided nor did I entirely understand (sorry...tmi. Plus, I don't think this makes me special btw. I think everyone deals with this stuff)- and having been in the position of being dumped from a friendship because I needed to honor my cultural and deep-seated beliefs, as well as having to end a friendship for the same reasons - I felt pretty affected by this story. I think friendships that can withstand all of those things are quite remarkable. And not just an event or something, but a lifetime of growth, changes, discovery, mistakes. Perhaps that's why I think it's a miracle that my husband loves me. Despite me.

Most of all, I'm glad to see some passion coming out of you guys after this book. It was a strong topic. I apologize if it was too much for the middle of the summer. I also think it's very commendable that we can all say what we want to say in this nu shu - ish forum. It would be quite easy to misinterpret tone and meaning without hearing the tone or seeing the body language associated with it. Of course, I'm really just stating the obvious. Now if y'all don't mind, I'm going to finish plugging through Eat Pray Love and move on to rereading Hunger Games. I've got a cake to plan. Bring it on people. Bring. It. On.

Discussion of The Snowflake Book....

2010-08-01T20:01:00.001-07:00

Anyone?

Unfinished review.....will write more later

2010-08-01T19:59:00.000-07:00

In the seventh grade my friend Tracy Ewens wrote me a note saying that she was sorry that sometimes she acted like a b word. Unfortunately I read the note and understood it to say, "Sorry but sometimes you act like a b word." I was so devastated that she would call me a b word that I immediately, without finishing the note to the end, burned it with a match over the toilet and then flushed it down. It took us weeks to figure out what happened and get back to being friends

I only have five minutes before we start the discussion. I'll go back and finish this review another night when I have more time because there are so many things I want to say.

My Feet Ache

2010-08-01T19:47:00.000-07:00

Review of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See by Jenny ESP

Note: do not use google images to look up pictures of what foot binding looks like/did to a woman’s feet. I must reiterate. Do NOT use google images to look up pictures of what foot binding looked like/did to feet.

If I were to describe SFATSF offhand, I would say it is a book rich in character and slight in plot, and for the reader’s interest to be captured, they would have to either a) be interested in these characters on a personal level, or b) be fascinated with ancient Chinese culture as it pertains to women. I think this is true for the most part, but after giving it more thought, I realized that the author didn’t simply rely on the reader’s interest in the characters, or interest in the strange, cruel culture of 19^th century China. From the beginning, she hinted at the scandal, betrayal, lies, secrets that were to come. That kept me going as much as my interest in the characters/culture did. I enjoyed her writing style. I had to read all that foot binding stuff with one eye closed. Horrific. This made me thankful to be born in the US of A in 1980 something, that’s for sure.

I did read the “Catching Cool Breezes” chapter, of course. Being told it was inappropriate only made me more apt to read it, but that’s not my point. My point is, I didn’t interpret that encounter as a “physical relationship” between Lily and Snow Flower. It was too innocent to feel sexual. Kind of a let down. <-- I kid!!!

Thanks for the pick, Stands. I much enjoyed.

The Chinese Are Whack, Yo.

2010-08-01T19:41:00.000-07:00

Friendship, yes.

Loyalty, of course.

Bed business, giggle.

Traditions, galore.

The thing that stuck with me most and made me have an extremely uncomfortable airplane ride to Los Angeles was the freakin' foot-binding. Whaaaaat in the aaaayyyche??? I mean, right? HOW does that make one more marriageable? WHY is that attractive? WHY did I need to read about the process in such great detail??

Forget wanting only sons as the way to prove my ultimate worth as a woman. I wouldn't want to have any daughters so I wouldn't have to bind their adorable widdle feet!

I did some research. You can thank me later.

Hmmm...this doesn't look tooooooo too bad.....

Um....o...k....?

Aw, look at this adorable little Chinese woman on her golden lilies!

These are apparently those embroidered shoes they would spend hours making up in the women's chamber.

Ok, Lady Lu, I'd rather you keep your shoe on but, still, doesn't look too bad to me....

Wait, is that....are those? Nooooooooooooooooooo! ::gouging out eyes with my Sonic straw::

Ho. Ly. Crap.

I think I may have just died of grossness.

::shuddering::

Ok. So. There's that.

Moving on.

I really did enjoy the book (foot-binding details aside). I find that time and culture fascinating. The arranged marriages and social hierarchies along with the rituals and superstitions are almost beyond comprehension to someone like me, born in Boise, ID in 1975. It almost came off as a sci-fi novel sometimes as I could not believe this stuff actually happened.

I thought the story and writing was enjoyable and it moved along well. I love the causal narrative style the author used. It's my favorite. Like you are sitting at an 80 year old Lady Lu's feet as she tells you the story and her laotong. My only complaint is that I wasn't in love with Snow Flower. I don't think she was endearing enough to make me care when she died.

Anyway, good read. Enjoyable. Definitely a departure from our norm. Educational. Thanks Stands!

China Beaches

2010-08-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

Picture, if you will, a split screen. On one side, two little girls meet on a beach under a boardwalk. On the other, two little girls are formally introduced and set down to write a contract as Laotongs. On the first side, the girls grow up and are the best of friends; sharing an apartment, laughing, writing letters; not really 100% aware of the others true circumstances. On the second, the girls grow up together, writing letters in a secret language, and marking important events on a fan - the supposed rich girl who isn't and the supposed poor girl who is really, much better off. The first set date and meet their husbands. The second set endure arranged marriages and spend a year taking conjugal visits before being sent off to clean house for their mothers-in-law, only being beaten once in a while. Of course, that's only after their husbands have succeeded in getting them pregnant. Imagine years of a misunderstandings, in only the way women can have them; most often - silent. And they gradually grow apart. Until that day when they meet up and the sparks fly. It could be in a mall, walking through the makeup department. It could be during the bridal events of one of the girls. Insults fly, hearts are broken and years pass without word from the girls to each other. Imagine now that in one set, there is a little girl. Her mother is terminally ill and the women come back together. In the other set, there is a boy (more highly revered than a girl, tho behaves much like one) and his mother is also terminally ill.

Ok...you certainly get the picture now, right? I almost think I need to watch Beaches again. Don't get me wrong. I really liked this book. It reminded me of how blessed I am to have grown up in small town America, where I could play and run around and become exactly who I wanted to be. I married the man I wanted to marry. And, my husband not only never beats me, he does laundry and cooks meals and he loves his little girl as much as he loves his boys.

It also left me considering our relationships. How we allow our friends or sisters to influence our decisions. I had a sister tell me once, how much she loved it when my hair was shorter. Come my next hair appointment, my hair was short again. Simply because I knew she liked it that way. ("Why did you cut your hair?" "Because you told me to!" / "Why did you have sex before you were supposed to after having a baby?" "Because you told me to try for more sons!") I can't help but admit that I did admire the idea of a Laotong. Someone who shares so many similarities. Not so much as children, but a Laotong as a grown up could be an incredible blessing. A lifeline, even.

I don't know if any of you read the Catching Cool Breezes chapter. The one I warned you about? It strongly implies that the two girls had a physical relationship as well. While I 100% agree with the Man/Woman only thing, I have to admit that I completely understand how and why that could happen. Probably happens a lot. Those poor women never get love from anyone. Their mothers are mean. Their fathers ignore them. Their husbands and mothers-in-law beat them. The human spirit just needs a soft place to fall somewhere and if the only person in the world who understands and loves you is your laotong?

I don't often truly shed a tear when I'm reading. But when Third Sister didn't survive her foot binding, I couldn't help it. Golden lilies or not....un.believable. Curse the idiot who came up with that idea. And curse the men in China for being turned on by it. I can't really compare it to boob jobs or something here in America. We don't torture our daughters when they're teeny (well those of us who are sane, right?) I was at the pool a couple of days after I'd finished this book. There was a family there with obviously adopted little girls from China. I don't really know if the same foot stuff and attitudes about women continues there, but I'm betting in some of the more remote villages, it does. And darn it if I wouldn't fly over there and rescue a baby girl from such a life.

Is July Over Already?

2010-07-30T07:38:00.000-07:00

How's your reading of Snow Flower coming along? If you're all available and up for it, let's have our discussion this Sunday, August 1 at 9 pm mtn time. Hope to see you all there!!!

July, My Friends

2010-07-06T20:25:00.000-07:00

Da da da dummmmm.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
Lisa See

This book had me crying by page 32, and I did a lot of reading in utter amazement. It was SO thought provoking and has really stayed with me. It has over 700 reviews and is rated at 4.5 stars. A decent 480 reviews were 5 stars. Here is the description from Amazon.

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. See's engrossing novel set in remote 19th-century China details the deeply affecting story of lifelong, intimate friends (laotong, or "old sames") Lily and Snow Flower, their imprisonment by rigid codes of conduct for women and their betrayal by pride and love. While granting immediacy to Lily's voice, See (Flower Net) adroitly transmits historical background in graceful prose. Her in-depth research into women's ceremonies and duties in China's rural interior brings fascinating revelations about arranged marriages, women's inferior status in both their natal and married homes, and the Confucian proverbs and myriad superstitions that informed daily life. Beginning with a detailed and heartbreaking description of Lily and her sisters' foot binding ("Only through pain will you have beauty. Only through suffering will you have peace"), the story widens to a vivid portrait of family and village life. Most impressive is See's incorporation of nu shu, a secret written phonetic code among women—here between Lily and Snow Flower—that dates back 1,000 years in the southwestern Hunan province ("My writing is soaked with the tears of my heart,/ An invisible rebellion that no man can see"). As both a suspenseful and poignant story and an absorbing historical chronicle, this novel has bestseller potential and should become a reading group favorite as well.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

Lily at 80 reflects on her life, beginning with her daughter days in 19th-century rural China. Foot-binding was practiced by all but the poorest families, and the graphic descriptions of it are not for the fainthearted. Yet women had nu shu, their own secret language. At the instigation of a matchmaker, Lily and Snow Flower, a girl from a larger town and supposedly from a well-connected, wealthy family, become laotong, bound together for life. Even after Lily learns that Snow Flower is not from a better family, even when Lily marries above her and Snow Flower beneath her, they remain close, exchanging nu shu written on a fan. When war comes, Lily is separated from her husband and children. She survives the winter helped by Snow Flower's husband, a lowly butcher, until she is reunited with her family. As the years pass, the women's relationship changes; Lily grows more powerful in her community, bitter, and harder, until at last she breaks her bond with Snow Flower. They are not reunited until Lily tries to make the dying Snow Flower's last days comfortable. Their friendship, and this tale, illustrates the most profound of human emotions: love and hate, self-absorption and devotion, pride and humility, to name just a few. Even though the women's culture and upbringing may be vastly different from readers' own, the life lessons are much the same, and they will be remembered long after the details of this fascinating story are forgotten.–Molly Connally, Chantilly Regional Library, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

BIG DISCLAIMER!!!!!

\/ \/ \/

There is one thing, though. Snow Flower and Lily have a questionable moment in the chapter titled Catching Cool Breezes (pg 83). If this chapter were ignored, (imho) it absolutely would not alter the story in any way. I energetically suggest you skip it. If you decide to read it, don’t come after me. I warned you.

This one shoulda stayed a secret...

2010-07-05T20:21:00.000-07:00

Jespy's review of The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes Booth by Diane Chamberlain

Has anyone ever told you a big secret that they had been keeping for over twenty something years and you had to sit there and act interested in hearing the secret, but really you couldn't care less? If so, then you know exactly how it feels to read this book.

I had a hard time getting through it, as it is chalk full of unsympathetic characters with nonsensical political views. It had a depressing vibe to it. Not because the story was particularly sad and not because they all blew up in the end, but because the characters led depressing lives and had no redeemable qualities. The bad choices CeeCee made (one after the other) were annoying. I didn't care what happened to her (or anyone else in the book, for that matter), so I was not compelled to pick it up and read on my own. The only thing motivating me to read was not wanting to miss out on the awesome rip-fest dicush. (Which didn't even happen--thanks a lot blogger.)

On a positive note, the opening line in this book was probably the best opening I've ever seen in a book. Better than, "The early summer sky was the color of cat vomit."<--name that book.

Thanks for taking care of June's pick, Hotpants! Sorry the dicush didn't work out. "Too little, too late," eh?

Due to unforseen circumstances...

2010-07-05T20:18:00.000-07:00

Blogger isn't working, you can't see anyone else comments. (I'm sure you were all leaving tons of them too) So the therefor the discush is canceled...not rescheduled, just canceled. It was a pervy book anyway. Please feel free to leave comments on the reviews for this month only.
In case you were wondering how I felt about the book, I'll let you know now.
I read this book about 2 years ago while I was up at my friend Alison's cabin. I was very sick and in bed hopped up on cold medicine. She recommended it to me and I remember liking it. That is pretty much all I remember. I also remember Memzy coming over for a visit a couple weeks later and I was still sick on pain medicine and was a total B to our waiter. And I also remember going to Anna's and going to lunch with my cousin Rachel and meeting her fiance who was raised in a polygamist colony. That is all I remember about that whole summer. I was planning on rereading the book, but then as I was hearing people not liking it so much it made me not in the mood to reread it. After reading the reviews it seems I made the right decision. Even though I "need my soft porn". Thanks aunt Shell for outing my as an addict. I was planning on coming out on my own soon anyway.
For reals though, I did not feel sympathy for CeeCee as a teenager. I thought she had other options than to steal the kid and run away.

Alright now, let's move on with something new!

Official Discush

2010-07-05T20:02:00.000-07:00

Let's get this partay started.

The Secret Life of Bees, I mean, Cee Cee Wilkes

2010-06-27T20:10:00.000-07:00

Diane Chamberlain's "The Secret Life of Cee Cee Wilkes" was alright. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great. I enjoyed the fact that it was fast-paced and held my attention. I liked the letters written by CeeCee's mom and how they foreshadowed and paralleled the events in the book. Although I guessed what was going to happen 90% of the time, there were a few things I didn't expect. I knew that Corinne was going to make up with her mom, break up with Ken, and influence the Russells to make sure her mom served a lighter sentence. I also knew Jack would stay with and support CeeCee. But there were enough surprises in there to make me smile. For example, I had no idea that Ronnie would return CeeCee's box of letters to her while she was in prison. I also didn't consider the possibility that Corinne might be Tim's baby. I never guessed that Tim had had an affair with Genevieve, although I'm surprised I never thought of it. It makes a lot of sense seeing as Tim is a complete womanizer and would do anything to get what he wants. Jerk.

There were a few holes in the plot that bothered me enough to make me pause while reading. For example, why wouldn't there be more suspicion of foul play with Genevieve's kidnapping? Why wouldn't there be more of an intense search find the governor's wife of all people? Why didn't Marian ever suspect that Cory wasn't Eve's baby and that it might be the governor's child? Also, when the remains were found it was announced who they belonged to at the same time (pg 312). I always thought that identifying remains by dental records took time. I didn't know you could tell who a person was just by looking at their bones in the dirt. Also, when the media are showing 28 year old photos of Tim and Marty, wouldn't they really be showing age-advanced photos (pg 324)? What good does it do to show a picture of how someone looked 28 years ago?

Not only were there a few holes in the plot, there were a few things that bothered me in characterization and the story in general. First of all, when Corinne mentioned abortion on pg 12, I was not pleased and I was actually turned off by her personality. I also didn't understand why CeeCee she was so impressed that Tim was "protecting" her (pg 360). I didn't like the fact that she didn't want him to take the fall for something she thought he wasn't responsible for when, in fact, it was because of his actions Genevieve died. Isn't that manslaughter? The last thing is kind of nit-picky but how often does one really pull their knees up to their chest and hug themselves and squeeze their eyes shut (pg 317)?

Even though it wasn't my type of book (that's okay, there's not many that are) I enjoyed reading it. I even pretended to be sick on Saturday so I could stay in bed reading all day.

Alert, Alert

2010-06-27T20:01:00.000-07:00

Due to the lack of preparedness and a few requests, the book discush will be postponed until Monday July 5th. That gives you all another 8 days to read and report. See ya.

The Depressing Life of CeeCee Wilkes

2010-06-27T19:50:00.000-07:00

I just got back from Wyoming not 15 minutes ago, and the Discussion is in about 10 minutes, so I don't have much time for reviewing. I'm not really sure what to say about this book anyway. I thought it was well written, and interesting, but I can't say I enjoyed reading it. It was a heartbreaking story and the little redemption there was in the end didn't seem adequate to cover the tragedy of C.W.'s life.
If only she'd turned over the bratty kid and paid her dues early on, and not had to live a life of guilt, stress and deceit, or if only she had not given in to Mr. manipulator in the first place and avoided the whole mess, or if only I had read a book that wasn't as dark and depressing as this one. So many if only's.

Everything I Liked Could Fit Inside a Coffee Cup

2010-06-27T18:56:00.000-07:00

I don't know why that one line stuck with me, but for some reason it did. "Everything I knew about him, I could fit inside a coffee cup." Er...something like that. I can't check my book cause I sent it to my sis.

One of the things I liked about this book was the slew of emotions I felt while I was reading it. My internal reaction to the story just kept morphing as it went on. At first, I was curious and stuff. Then, I got irritated that (spoilers...) she would even consider helping them out with that dumb stuff. I knew the minute they got in that stupid white van and started arguing with each other trying to find the cabin that the entire thing was going to fall apart. Then I found myself pulled into sympathy for CeeCee. Ok, so it was a stupid decision. But now we're here...so we may as well deal with the situation. What kind of a couple of idiots kidnap a woman who's 8 months pregnant and can't tell? Stupid 20-something year old idiots. That's who. I felt so so so so sorry for that poor woman when she realized she was going into labor and I can't imagine what she was thinking the entire time she was having that baby. Then I was mad because CeeCee went to that Naomi lady who basically shoved the baby at her and said 'You're keepin' it!' Ayeayeaye.

I didn't like how slowly the story moved through all of the little tiny motions of Cory growing up. I'm not surprised she was angry, but I kept hoping that after she'd met her real family that they would tell her that her paranoia and fear of everything was a hereditary thing she'd gotten from Russell's side of the family.

I kinda wish there had been a few less moments of, sex stuff. It always felt like I was being smacked in the head when all of a sudden I read some sentence.

It was a fascinating story. Could you imagine? Poor thing couldn't even run home and google Tim's sister to find out what had really happened with her, and the way it paralleled with her mom's life kind of explains another reason why CeeCee fell for his crap. And too darn bad that they couldn't have looked up the cabin on their gps. Too bad she didn't have a stinkin' cell phone. She could've called 911.

Sorry my review is so discombobulated and stuff. I re-read it and I sound like one of those people who talks really fast and changes the subject 500 times. And just so you know, I'm FREAKING out about what kind of a book to pick for July. The pressure is killing me!

Discush

2010-06-27T15:49:00.000-07:00

So, I believe the discush is tonight. Please get your reviews posted. I am just waiting for Dwight to fix the other laptop where I saved mine. I'm way too lazy and unmotivated to rewrite it. See you all in cyberspace tonight at 9pm mountain/8 pm pacific.

Something New (for kids)...

2010-06-03T14:00:00.000-07:00

HotPants came up with this smart idear to start a new branch of the SRBC for kids, as some of our book selections can be grossly inappropriate for children. (See first sentence of our current book)

I think that is an excruciatingly smart solution, don't you? Thanks, [Smarty]Pants!

Of course, our junior followers are always welcome to read our book selections too (with parent approval, of course) and post a review on here, but this way they'll have a guaranteed age-appropriate book to read every month, and their very own blog on which to review and discuss! Ah, the joy of reading!

So, without further ado, I am thrilled to introduce:

The Smart Remarks Book Club: Junior Edition

(Web addy: http://smartremarksforkids.blogspot.com/)

The SRBC: Junior Edition will focus only on middle-grade to young-adult level books. Anyone at that reading level is welcome to join. The club will be run by its members (not us adults), although they might need our help to get the club up and running. I asked Cord ESP to write the welcome message and choose the first book.

Our junior division will differ from our parent book club, in that there will be no official fast-and-furious one-hour discussion at the end of the month. I think it would be near impossible to get kids to converge on the Internet like that--we adults can barely manage it. So instead, they will have a one-week period to post their book review, and will be encouraged to read and leave feedback on all the other reviews. Contests and games will be up to whoever is leading the club that month, just like we do it on here. (I have a feeling that the kids will be better at this than we are.)

So, if you're a kid and want to join the new SRBC: Junior Edition, or if you have a kid who might want to join, leave your email addy and I'll send you an invitation to be a contributor to the new blog. That invite will allow you to post things. The blog is otherwise open for public viewing, if you'd rather be a silent follower.

As Cord ESP said, "Happy reading strangers and people i actually know."

Drum Roll Please...

2010-06-01T17:10:00.000-07:00

I know you all have been DYING to know what book you will be reading this month. Sorry it took me so long to get to this post. Crazy day. I had to work at the Y. Then I came home and made a quick lunch cuz I was starving. Then I had to take Howie out to spend his birthday money. (yeah that's right, you forgot his birthday) Then I had to make a run to the dump, where btw I got invited to go fishing with a weirdo, but was flattered none the less. Then I had to pick up my kids from school. Then I had to vacuum out Dwight's truck, it was super dirty. Then I had to go to Zamzows, we have aphids. Then I came home and sprayed the trees and bushes. Then I came in to sit for a second. Then I remembered you have all been waiting for me and my big announcement.
Are you ready?
We will be reading "The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes" . Click on the link to buy it from amazon, or head over to Target. Or get it from the library, sickos.

I read this a couple years ago and loved it. I will say it is more PG-13 rated. There may be a little more involved that just levi-lovin. And maybe a few more four letter words, can't remember for sure. It's dramatic, it's romantic, it's interesting. (I read that on a review)
Here's the premise...An unsolved murder. A missing child. A lifetime of deception. In 1977, pregnant Genevieve Russell disappeared. Twenty years later, her remains are discovered and Timothy Gleason is charged with murder. But there is no sign of the unborn child. CeeCee Wilkes knows how Genevieve Russell died, because she was there. And she also knows what happened to the missing infant, because two decades ago she made the devastating choice to raise the baby as her own. Now Timothy Gleason is facing the death penalty, and she has another choice to make. Tell the truth, and destroy her family. Or let an innocent man die in order to protect a lifetime of lies...
Oh Yeah, you're all hooked!

Official Discussion Post for The Body Finder

2010-05-31T20:57:00.000-07:00

Post your comments here.

Levi Lovin's

2010-05-31T19:49:00.000-07:00

Chapter One

Violet discovers she has a crush on her hot BFF.

Chapter Two

Violet babysits and Jay pops by to tickle her but it's okay cuz they are just friends.

Chapter Three

Violet goes for a jog. She is later joined by Jay. She trips and Jay puts on a band aid.

Chapter Four

They go to a party at a lake. She finds a dead body.

Chapter Five

Violet tells police what happens. Her dad and uncle show up at the lake for support.

Chapter Six

Violet was depressed until the body was buried.

Chapter Seven

Grady asked Violet to Homecoming. Jay got mad and got a ride home with Lissie.

Chapter Eight

Violet and Jay make up.

Chapter nine

Violet gets her Homecoming dress and finds out Hailee was kidnapped.

Chapter Ten

Violet and Jay go to the movies. Violet uses the bathroom during the movie.

Chapter Eleven

Violet and Jay go to the mall. Violet discovers the men's bathroom tastes like garlic.

Chapter Twelve

Violet and Jay are in a fight. Grady is bugging Violet.

Chapter Thirteen

Grady takes Violet to the cemetery.

Chapter Fourteen

Violet decides to go to a party.

Chapter Fifteen

Grady sticks his slug tongue in Violet's mouth. Jay punches him. Violet gets mad at Jay.

Chapter Sixteen

Jay kisses Violet.

Chapter Seventeen

Violet joins a search party. She finds the killer.

Chapter Eighteen

Jay dry humps Violet.

Chapter Nineteen

Violet points out dead animals on the killers property.

Chapter Twenty

Violet and Jay are an item. Jay goes home during the middle of a make out session.

Chapter Twenty One

Violet gets chased by the killer but her 16 year old boyfriend scares him away.

Chapter Twenty Two

Violet goes to a hospital for a sprained ankle. Her uncle orders 24/7 cop at her house.

Chapter Twenty Three

Violet goes to school and stuff. Jay tells her that they are going to Homecoming.

Chapter Twenty Four

Violet watches a movie while eating popcorn. Jay comes over.

Chapter Twenty Five

Violet and Jay go to the dance. Violet leaves Jay's sight so she can go to the bathroom.

Chapter Twenty Six

Violet stays behind in the bathroom so the killer can get her. He confesses everything to her.

Chapter Twenty Seven

Jay discovers Violet was left alone in the bathroom and alerts the cops.

Chapter Twenty Eight

Jay (16 yr old B.F.) stands up to the serial killer. Someone gets shot.

Chapter Twenty Nine

Jay is still alive. The End.

My perfectly perfect review of "The Body Finder" by Kimberly Derting

2010-05-30T21:46:00.000-07:00

I don't know why but I'm having a hard time writing a review on this book. So I'm going to make it easy on myself and just tell you what I thought.

I thought it was okay/pretty good. For what it was written for (a young adult novel about a girl with raging hormones and keen intuition) it wasn't that bad. I only marked a few places where the writing offended me. This sentence drove me crazy, "After scrutinizing herself in the mirror and noting the dark circles beneath her eyes, she once again thought about how badly she wanted to crawl back beneath the mound of already cooling blankets that covered her bed like an inviting nest" (pg 6). Um, okay. Also the dialogue from Greg Ambrose to Violet on page 67 didn't sound like dialogue at all--just information worked into dialogue. "When you were little, we were worried when you first started finding dead animals....blah, blah, blah." Changing point of view on page 302 was a little disjointing, "Claire wanted so badly to join in on the catty conversation, but she was terrible at finding other people's flaws...still she gave it her best shot." Then there were those sentences that just didn't make sense. These sentences usually occurred when Jay and Violet were making out. It was so confusing I couldn't even picture what the heck those two love birds were doing exactly--which was totally okay with me, btw. The adverbs also got to be a little much. On pages 306-307 I read nine adverbs: momentarily, instinctively, casually, perfectly, immediately, thoughtfully, really, tightly, and violently." I just wanted to say, "Ok, ok, I get it, I get it."

Also, I don't know if anyone else felt this way while reading the book, but sometimes I felt like the author was reliving her glory days. I wondered if maybe some of the events and places she was describing came from her own life experiences and even her journal. Call me crazy but I felt this way at least a few times. The way she described her beater car and the Homecoming dance and some other things, I just can't think of them right now. They felt like a journal entry to me. (Anybody else think this while they were reading?)

Not only were the descriptions overkill, the idealistic nature of Jay and Violet's developing relationship was darn near irritating. It seemed that everything about Jay and he and Violet's relationship was "flawless" and "absolutely perfect." Those are heavy words that you don't want to drop casually. After a while the making out got to be a nuisance and I wanted to throw up toward the end of the book. Ok, so he's the most perfect boyfriend in the whole world and you two couldn't be happier. Okay, I get it. I liked it better when you guys were sexually frustrated. (Or maybe I'm just jealous since my husband and I are way past the fun, lusty days of teen infatuation).

That brings us to my biggest pet peeve. JAY. There is no such thing as the perfect guy. No guy expect Edward maybe. Or Peeta. And that's just because they're both so freaking cool. Peeta and Edward have both earned their stripes. They are amazing and awesome because we know who they are and we respect them, not because they are flawless characters. I liked Jay a lot, but he just didn't feel real to me. At least not the way that he was written. How could a guy of his age really understand and appreciate a girl like he does? What has happened in his life to make him realize that Violet is the one for him? Why is it that a young man at his age is so good to her? I never got that.

Overall I thought the pace was good. Also, the suspense was pretty good. I did laugh a few times when I knew the writer was trying to keep us in suspense when I knew all along that the officer she ran into in the woods was the other killer and that it was her uncle who shot the guy in the back and that Jay was alive.

There were a few things that didn't make sense to me like why didn't Violet feel an echo from Mackenzie Sherwin when she was so close to her killer and so close to her body? I also thought it was funny that nobody guessed that maybe the other killer had seen Violet at the house identifying dead things. Other than those things I really liked the book and I enjoyed reading it. Well, most of it. I admit that I did skip over the pages written from the killer's point of view. Too creepy for me. Besides I read the book at night and I didn't want to give myself bad dreams. In fact, I would have finished the book in one sitting but once I got to the part where she was being chased in the woods I put the book down so I could finish it in the morning. Overall, great, fast read, really enjoyed it. Thanks Markie.

So there you have it. My absolutely perfectly perfect review of The Body Finder, by Kimberly McPerfect Derting.

Postponed!!

2010-05-30T20:46:00.000-07:00

Ok, so our discussion will be tomorrow night same time, same place.

I Find Dead People

2010-05-30T20:31:00.001-07:00

....and animals, and, stuff.

I started reading this book on an airplane with my head still lost somewhere on a beach in the Caribbean. So, I was g.l.u.e.d. our entire flight and finished the book before we landed in Denver. Big switcheroo from everybodieshappyandonvacation to findingdeadbodiesandbeingchasedbyadoodincamoduds. Wow! I was a little excited to read something with some good 'snogging' and teenage love. I'm so getting too grown up tho, cause I kept thinking, "They're letting them be ALONE like that in her BEDROOM all the TIME like this???" "Don't they know what teenagers like to DO when they're alone all the time in their bedrooms?"

I loved the way the book switched between the girl and the bad guy. He was way creepy and all that, but the suspense of trying to guess who he was chasing down and hearing his thoughts made the book more compelling. I found myself anxious for his next chapter - like staring at a train wreck. I didn't put too much thought into the teamed up bad guys. Fargo was like a bad guy team. There have certainly been other examples of that. Creepy doods find eachother - and watch eachother's backs and stuff. I think. Well....anyway.

I thought the end, when she was on crutches at the prom, I mean homecoming dance was WAY predictable and then the lame deserted bathroom and blahblahblah. I was very relieved that Jay wasn't the one that got shot at the end. He wouldn't have been bitter dandelions anyway. He would have been more like oranges or candy canes or...nevermind. Don't ask.

Can't wait for the discussion. Whenever it is. And I'm excited for you all to meet my younger sis. I LOVE that she's out of school for the summer and can actually read for her own entertainment.

P.S. Markie - can't wait to hear how you came across this book.

Postpone??

2010-05-30T20:19:00.000-07:00

So I am getting texts that many SRBCers are not available for a discussion tonight? Who would like to postpone it until tomorrow?

Newbie...

2010-05-30T19:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I'm new at this. I generally don't review anything by means of analyzing. Movies and books are either entertaining or they're not. So, if I suck at this review thing, I apologize.
My seester-StandsMom-recommended this book to me and I was desperate to read something other than dental histology, so I read this book in less than two days about three weeks ago. I was entertained and rather enjoyed the book. What I thought was good about the book was: easy read, suspensful, loved the teenage romance, and loved the idea that Violet had this creepy "talent" to find dead things.
What I didn't like was: Violet annoyed me in some parts but then again she is a teenage girl, and I didn't like that there were two killers-totally lamerz!
I'm looking forward to the second book and hope it's as entertaining as the first.

Review

2010-05-30T19:23:00.000-07:00

I finished this book in two days and have done lots of reading since so I forgot it a little bit too. I do remember I enjoyed reading it. It was a little dumb that there were two killers. I did like her ability but I thought they were going to go a different route with it. Although it wasn't the best book I've ever read I'm glad it was chosen this month and I besides the dumber parts of the book I kind of liked it. I probably won't be at the discussion tonight because I've had the flu really bad all weekend and I'm pretty tired already. Can't wait to hear about next months book!

The Body Grinder, I mean Finder

2010-05-30T19:19:00.000-07:00

Jespy's review of The Body Finder

For me, the term “easy read” means more than just that a book has easy vocabulary, concept, or plot. An “easy read” is a page turner. A book is only easy to read if I don’t want to put it down every few pages. Conversely, a book (which may have simple vocab, concept, or plot) that I constantly want to put down, is a hard read.

I just wanted to clear that up before I describe this book as an “easy read.” I don’t want anyone to misunderstand and think I am simply describing the text.

So, it's an easy read. I finished it fast, and I enjoyed reading it. Much of it was indulgent nonsense, but the characters were well-developed, and the relationship between Violet and Jay was fleshed out—litrly. Plus it had that awesome levi-lovin scene that was described in intricate detail, leaving nothing up to the imagination. (Keep your children away from this book. And keep them away from my review too, for good measure.)

My favorite scene was when Jay and Violet’s dad had that mysterious murmured convo over the dinner table and then shook hands, right before Jay took Violet up to her room. This is my guess:

Jay—“Permission to grind with your daughter, sir.”

Dad—“Permission granted.”

Jay—“Great. We’ll be up in her room, on her bed. If you must check on us, knock first, K?”

Dad—“Sounds like a reasonable request. Have fun you two.”

::Shake::

These are some things I didn’t like:

All those details about the homecoming dance were indulgent nonsense and only reminded me that this book was written for teenage girls who go googoogaga for that stuff.

Violet’s decisions at the end (such as using the far away empty bathroom at the dance) were silly nonsensical rubbish and pulled me right out of the story so I could roll my eyes.

The twist was unbelievable. I also didn’t buy the killer’s decision to kill again when the cops already “had their guy.” He was in the clear. Just didn’t make sense for him to go after Violet, regardless of his suspicions.

Silly ending or not, I still had fun reading this book. Thanks for the pick, Markie!

*My appearance at the discussion tonight will be spotty. I apologize in advance!

Markie's Review

2010-05-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

Once again I've made the mistake of not writing my review immediately after reading the book, which was over a month ago. I've been to Alaska and back since then fhs. I've had to quickly skim through it again just to remember who the main characters were. So, I guess my overall opinion of this book is... forgettable.

What I liked:
It was another easy, entertaining read that required very little brain power to enjoy. I thought the pace was nice, and the story flowed along easily without getting bogged down in a bunch of descriptive details. I like that nobody’s hair was the color of lemon, nobody’s eyes were gangly, and that Violet’s parents, aunt & uncle and their kids, and her boyfriend Jay weren’t blown to bits by a bomb.

What I didn't like:
I think she could have built the suspense more; put Violent in a little more danger for a longer period of time. I was never really too concerned for her safety. I wanted her in the shower with the killer creeping up the stairs; or maybe sitting in her uncle’s police cruiser when she realizes HE is the killer. And the whole second serial killer twist deserved a big “Oh, c’mon, gimme a break”. I knew when she caught the first killer so early in the book, and without much effort or danger that there had to be more to the story, and I hoped for something more ingenious and different than just the same plot line repeated twice.

It’s a lot of pressure choosing a book for this group. I hope you were at least entertained for a little while.

Best day ever, was the one I spent reading this book!

2010-05-30T16:00:00.001-07:00

I have never literally LOL'ed so many times while reading a book before. And for this reason, I have to say I loved this book. But, I loved it in a Saved By The Bell, or To Justin From Kelly sort of way.
This book had potential to be a good book in a different sort of way, maybe if the author had an adult with her who could help her out a bit.
Highlights:
* Jay is really good at putting band-aids on booboos.
* Violet is so pretty and she doesn't even know it you gize.
* Jay and Violet's dad shook on something and we'll never know what it was. But, here's my guess... See, Jay was trying to keep watch over Violet and he also needed to study and work his job so he could save up for a fancy car, like a ~~Volvo~~ Acura. He was running out of energy so he started taking caffeine pills. Violet's dad found out and helped him quit. They made a pact and shook on it.
* After making his caffeine quitting pact with Violet's dad, he proceeded to then make out with Violet.
* Levi-Lovin

I had the best time reading this book, and for that, I owe you big time Markie!

Landee Dies And No One Can Find Her Body

2010-05-30T15:24:00.001-07:00

In the acknowledgements… “To the entire team at HarperCollins…for helping me polish The Body Finder into something that sparkles.”

Ok Kimi Derting, I think “sparkles” is a bit of an over-statement here. I’d say it had some quasi-shimmery spots here & there but that’s about it. You polish a turd and it’s still a turd…just sayin! ::gangsta arms::

I’m not saying this was totally turdish though.

The Good

I like the concept for the book. I like her “ability” and I thought it had great potential for a great book. Nothing like matching up imprints to keep you on the edge of your seat. I, for one, am a fan of imprints in teenage novels. Ask anyone.

I was genuinely creeped out whenever it was in the “serial kidnapper’s” voice. He was icky and I didn’t like hearing how he thought about things. His tricks to get girls to get in his car, his referring to it in hunting terms, his insatiable desires….all yucky and I didn’t like it. This is in “the good” section because that is exactly what the author was trying to do.

There were times when I was nervous and worried about people which means the author did her job in creating excitement.

Jay. He sounds hawt & he’s super nice. Reminds me of Jacob.

The Bad

My A Numero Uno beef with this book is the beyond lame “twist” at the end where the dood had a friggin PARTNER in his kidnapping/murder escapades. There are no tag team criminals in the arena of taking and murdering young girls. None. These types of disgusting men work alone. I know Kim tried to make it seem like the one just liked the hunt and game of it and the other liked the killing but I simply don’t buy it. So what, like, the first guy is all hunting and getting a girl a day and the other guy just has to kill them all? What if the killer guy doesn’t feel like killing that day? Or that month? What do you do then? Not to even mention how these two guys hooked up and formed a partnership. I can just imagine how that conversation went:

Kidnapper Guy: Hey, I like stealing girls but not a big fan of killing them. The problem is once they see me they can identify me and, you know, I’m a cop & stuff so that would suck. Anyway, would you mind killing some teenage girls for me?

Murderer Guy: This is destiny! I love murder but hate having to chase these girls down! These extra pounds I’ve packed on in the last few years have really slowed me down. What a pain! Let’s do dis.

::shake hands vigorously and clap each other on the back::

Aaaand scene.

Chyaright! After that I just rolled my eyes at the whole thing, make out scenes and all.

I also found Violet to be somewhat unlikable but her friends to be intolerable. That’s not a huge deal but I figured I’d throw it in there.

Overall I didn’t feel like I wasted a couple of days reading this, per say, but I definitely won’t be recommending this book to anyone. Or telling anyone else I read it. Mums the word.

Finder of Bodies

2010-05-30T15:07:00.000-07:00

POSITIVES

easy read
kept me interested
likable characters (if you go for the overly humble, incredibly clumsy girl ::clearing throat:: Bella)
interesting concept

NEGATIVES

a PARTNER for those murders?! SRSLY?
yeah, it jumped the shark for me at that point and I didn't like it after that

Markie, it was a great read for this month, a good change up of style and emotional investment. I'm sorry I won't be attending the discush tonight. But thanks for hosting and choosing this book.

Discussion Time for The Body Finder

2010-05-28T09:29:00.000-07:00

Our book club discussion for The Body Finder will be this Sunday at 9 PM Pacific time. I am driving to Arizona on Sunday but I should be there in plenty of time to host the discussion on my laptop. I hope you can make it.

In the mean time... Have you seen this cheesy video trailer for the book?

There are no current plans to make a movie that I am aware of.

If you'd like to check out the authors web site, Click Here.

There is a brief bio and Q & A here. She is working on a sequel to The Body Finder called Desires of the Dead.

To visit her blog click here.

And finally, an interview with the author can be found here.

The book for May is...

2010-05-03T06:11:00.000-07:00

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Cuz I'm a giver like that.

I really think you're gonna like this one, but I do have to give a little "Reader Discretion Advised" warning: it does contain some language. There's some "A" words, some "B" words, some "C","D", and "E" words, and maybe even an "F" word or two. It also has a healthy dose of gratuitous snogging, along with murder most foul.

Having said that, I wouldn't recommend it if it was excessively graphic. It is a Young Adult book, and I'd put it in the PG-13 category. Still, if you have younger readers that like to read what Mom's reading (sorry Meghan), you might want to read it yourself first, and then decide if it's appropriate for your kid. I do have an alternate recommendation for anyone that is worried about the above advisory.

Imprints by Rachel Ann Nunes

I just read about it in the "Books" section of our Sunday paper. The plot line sounded amazingly similar to The Body Finder, but it was written by an LDS author, and the reviewer called it "a clean, enjoyable read".

Happy Reading!

Stinky book

2010-05-02T21:16:00.000-07:00

Yeah, this book stunk. Literally. I got my copy from the library and it smelled really bad. Like I had to wash my hands after every time I read it because I didn't want my hands to smell. I don't think it had been flagged or anything like the one George took into the bathroom, just that musty, old book smell that's pretty unpleasant. Anyway, once I got over the smell of the book I thought I'd be able to enjoy it until I got to page four. That's when I knew it stunk more than just literally. But I stuck with it and I have to admit there were some parts that were okay. Overall the story didn't ring true to me and the writing was poor. But I still appreciate the read. It's always good to read something I wouldn't have normally read, so thank you, Flem, for the recommendation.