To Be Borrowed: Divergent

After the whirlwind that was Catching Fire, I needed a book to take it easy with and Divergent by Veronica Roth seemed to be the one. I didn't feel like I had to rush through it. It was written at a pace I could sit back, relax and enjoy the journey of Beatrice (who ends up changing her name to Tris).

The book is about a dystopian society in Chicago separated into five different factions, each with their own values. It wasn't a roller coaster book like Catching Fire but it was still engaging. As I read, I visualized it in a similar style to M. Night Shyamalan's, The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable; very mellow and low key.

There were a couple of intense moments as Tris learned to navigate the waters of her new faction. However, near the end the narrative just got sloppy and confusing. A certain character was conveniently somewhere so he could be found and saved by Tris. Then after some very traumatizing events she's making out with her boyfriend in front of her brother! Oh, and there was the running across the "unyielding ground" (pg. 483) that really bugged me. Okay, yes, the ground is usually unyielding unless there's an earthquake or you're trying to escape a volcano. But considering there were no natural disasters or bombs going off, it's safe to assume the ground is unyielding without having to tell me. From that point on the book lost me and whatever I liked about it in the beginning was forgotten as I read what was a failed action/adventure ending. I finished this book on Thursday and since then, my frustration has grown as I've thought about it over the last few days.

I think the problem for me was reading three young adult books in a row about dystopian societies. I have nothing against YA books. My three woobie books are young adult novels. But there is a big difference in style (and substance) between Divergent and, for example, The Dark Is Rising, where the latter appeals to me more. Oh well, it started out well but lost me in the end. This is the first book of a planned trilogy. Will I read the next two books? Yeah, if I remember.

My Woobie Books

At some point you may have had a woobie. It could have been a stuffed animal or a dingy blanket that was nearly eaten by "Jaws".

I have one. I didn't acquire it until I was married but it's my woobie. It’s a beautiful quilt Steve's grandmother made for us. In California, I would wrap up in it on chilly Winter evenings watching a good movie or reading a good book. I don't get to snuggle with my quilt so much in Florida but it's still my woobie.

And it’s not just my quilt that’s my woobie; I also have books that are my woobie. They are my favorite books that I can just wrap myself up with and feel comfortable and secure as I read. It's a book I can open at any page and start reading, knowing what has happened and what will happen next and still feel the rush of excitement while I read the adventure. I still care about these characters and events. They feel like old friends.

I had a big stack of books I thought were my Woobie Books. They were books I've read more than once and will read again; books that I really really love. But as I started to think about it more, it wasn't just about how many times I've read these books. It was how I really felt about them and how they have affected me. So the stack shrank until it became just these three books:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper
Redwall by Brian Jacques

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was the one book I went to get at midnight. I was a late bloomer when it came to Pottermania. I didn’t start reading the books until after the third movie. I loved the third movie so much, and my sister had already told me so much of the story, I decided that I should see for myself what all the fuss was about. By that time, there were six books released so I only experienced the excitement of waiting for the last book and it’s this one that has become my favorite.

The Dark Is Rising. I read this one because of the movie and as we all know, most movie adaptations of books are not all that great. So I had to read the book first so I could say, “Hey, that’s now how it goes in the book!” while I watch the movie. It's a YA novel but written in a more mature style compared to most that have been written recently. And it's about a boy who is very solemn and mature for his age. His family looks upon him as an "old soul". He feels very genuine and real despite being the last of the Old Ones, a group of immortals who protect humanity from The Dark.

Redwall is the book I've known the longest. I discovered it in my Jr. High library and the cover called to me. I've read it at least three or four times since and I still think about Matthias and his fight to rid Redwall of Cluny the Scourge. “Tell the devil Cluny sent you, Skullface!” After reading that line I was hooked.

These books are a bit dark and ruthless. But they also portray themes of loyalty, honor and friendship that I love. These heroes really can’t get along without a little help from their friends. They may feel alone at times but they're not.

Am I too old for these books? Maybe. Do I care? No. Will I give up my woobies? Hell, no! I love them and I will always go back to read them and one day, Venessa and I will read them together. And as I read more and more, I hope to discover more woobies!

Photo courtesy of Steve Nakatani Photography

To Be Read: Catching Fire

It’s just a book, I had to tell myself. IT’S JUST A BOOK. This is not much of a review of Catching Fire. It’s more about my reaction to this book:

Catching Fire is like The Empire Strikes Back of trilogies! (Please note I said “like”. Nothing can achieve the awesomeness that is ESB!)

I found myself much more engaged with the characters this time. Maybe because I had gotten to know them and I loved reading about the after affects of the Hunger Games. But oh my goodness, I found myself on the edge of my seat! At one point I had to stop to collect myself! This book had me worked up just like when I finished reading the events of a certain wedding feast in A Storm of Swords, where I started out as mildly annoyed, that then turned into anger, which then produced a raging lunatic babbling about George R. R. Martin being a bastard but unable to stop reading!

Seriously, I had to get up for Kleenex and half an hour later there was still a lump in my throat. I was hesitant to continue reading Catching Fire because of my reaction but I REALLY needed to know what was going to happen next. I finished the book in a day and a half.

It’s just a book, these characters are not real, Panem does not exist BUT OH MY GOODNESS I NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS IN MOCKINGJAY NOW!!!

Now that I’ve gotten that out of my system I am forcing myself to wait to read Mockingjay. I need to be a sane, functioning person for a bit.

To Be Read: The Hunger Games

I wrote earlier I was hesitant about reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It has the same idea of Battle Royale and The Running Man: futuristic society, games used to entertain/exert government control, yada yada yada…

The Hunger Games takes place in what was once known as North America, in the nation of Panem. Panem is separated into districts, each one specializing in a certain industry that basically supports the Capitol, where the government of Panem is located. Every year each district must send a tribute, one boy and girl, between the ages of twelve and eighteen, to the Hunger Games, where they will be thrown into an arena to battle to the death until one emerges as the victor. Our heroine, Katniss Everdeen, is only sixteen and has been struggling to survive in District 12, being the sole provider of her family. When it’s time for District 12 to send their Tributes, it’s Katniss’ little sister who has been chosen but Katniss volunteers to go in her place.

I’ve only see the movie versions of Battle Royale and The Running Man, and it’s been years since I’ve seen them. I don’t know if I can watch Battle Royale again. The scene with the girls who turn on each other still haunts me. While The Hunger Games describes how some of the children – who have been forced to participate in the games – were killed, it is quite graphic but it didn’t really hit me. It is a YA novel, written in a certain style that didn’t make me cringe compared to the type of cringing I did while reading the first three books of A Song of Ice and Fire series, by George R.R. Martin. Although, it was written from the point of view of Katniss, and it could be that she herself had shut herself off in order to survive the Hunger Games.

The book is definitely a page turner though. I got through it in a week and I recommend it. Oh, just a warning, the names are horrible and don’t work well when read aloud. As a book it did its job; I was entertained. Though being entertained by the death of children may not be something I should be admitting…

From Facebook to Here

I had been using an app on Facebook called "I'm Reading" to keep track of the books I'm reading, set aside or finished. Now with Facebook, it's main goal is to allow you the opportunity to show off. And this app was good for that... mostly. I don't know if it's the apps lack of proper development or maybe Facebook being a jerk (I'd tend to lean toward Facebook being the culprit considering not too long ago we added a "Share This" feature at work that would not work the way WE wanted it to because of Facebook nonsense, anyways...) but it wouldn't let me brag about the books I've read the way I wanted to. Also, the app only allows a limited character count for reviews and sometimes my rants require more than 1000 characters. So, to preserve what has already been published elsewhere and to combine everything in one place, I'm including all my mini reviews in this one post. I may, from time to time, revisit these books and expand upon them in the future but for now, here you go:

The Sun Over Breda (Captain Alatriste) by Arturo Perez-Reverte
2 Stars
Review:

It felt like the writer had a word quota to fill! There were too many references to past and future events that bored me at times, and made me forget what was going on (a war in Flanders and I should not be forgetting there’s a war going on!). These books are told from the point of view of fifteen year old, Inigo Balboa, who is Captain Alatriste’s “sidekick”. All I have to say my favorite parts of the book were when Inigo was not directly involved in two scenes with Captain Alatriste. This will not stop me from reading the other books in the series. I enjoyed the first two (full of action, intrigue and sword fights!) and have the fourth awaiting it’s turn. I do love the cover of this book. You can bend and fold the book and it still retains its shape with no creases! I am however disappointed that cover art was changed. My first three books have a similar style, where the fourth is different and does not match the other three! Pooey!


A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
5 Stars
Review:

This book is worth reading for three characters: Sydney Carton, Madame Defarge and the city of Paris.

Sydney Carton, the tragic hero who I like to refer to as the “Original Snape”. Though this may have been pointed out on the internet before but I’m not going to bother looking for it.

Madame Defarge, with the knitting and watching, the simmering hatred and thirst for revenge that bursts and reveals its cruelty near the end.

Paris, on the eve and the start of the revolution, the sense of chaos and the passion for change from people long oppressed is felt.

It’s all very nail biting and palpable.

And of course this book has one of my favorite literary lines: “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”

Free ebook version available here...

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
0 Stars
Review:

Put aside. Just wasn't feeling it after the drama and far superior A Tale of Two Cities.

Free ebook version available here...


Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini
5 Stars
Review:

I found a new favorite book and character! A fun, exciting story, full of intrigue, action, romance, pirates and a Caribbean setting with an intelligent character like Peter Blood...you won't be able to put this story down! If you enjoy historical fiction along the lines of Richard Sharpe, Horatio Hornblower, Captain Alastriste, and Captain Jack Aubrey, then you'll enjoy the tale of Captain Blood as much as I did.

(Looking at this review I wrote I realize how it doesn't do this book justice. Please read! It's so so good!)

Free ebook version available here...

The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo by Stieg Larsson
0 Stars
Review:

Put aside. Got bored in the beginning but I'll return to give it another shot.


American Gods: A Novel by Neil Gaiman
3 Stars
Review:

Unfortunately I took a break from this book about half way through, so some events were forgotten from the beginning as I finished. There's references to many foreign gods and folklore. Being unfamiliar with many, I wasn't sure if some events were made up or if there were actual references to folklore. Some of the interactions between the characters made me wonder if they were driving the story forward, or if it was an important plot point or just a Tarantino Royal with Cheese conversation. Nothing wrong with that but I was confused whether the interactions were to bring these characters to life and show them in their everyday life, or did it have something to do with the overall theme of the story, that the clothes they wore, food they ate, things they said were all part of their god-like powers/folklore/myths that have been forgotten by the ancestors of the people who brought their gods with them as they settled in America. But Neil Gaiman has a way of writing that I enjoyed.

Unfortunately I took a break from this book about half way through, so some events were forgotten from the beginning as I finished. There's references to many foreign gods and folklore. Being unfamiliar with many, I wasn't sure if some events were made up or if there were actual references to folklore. Some of the interactions between the characters made me wonder if they were driving the story forward, or if it was an important plot point or just a Tarentino Royal with Cheese conversation. Nothing wrong with that but I was confused whether the interactions were to bring these characters to life and show them in their everyday life, or did it have something to do with the overall theme of the story, that the clothes they wore, food they ate, things they said were all part of their god-like powers/folklore/myths that have been forgotten by the ancestors of the people who brought their gods with them as they settled in America. But Neil Gaiman has a way of writing that I enjoyed.


Nina Garcia's Look Book: What to Wear for Every Occasion [Hardcover] by Nina Garcia (Author) and Ruben Toledo (Illustrator)
4 Stars
Review:

It may seem that Nina's suggestions on what to wear for every occasion may seem obvious. However, it's not just what you should wear but there are notes of encouragement she gives throughout the book that make it worth reading. It's a nice confidence booster and stylist wrapped up in a nice, colorfully illustrated package.


Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary by David Sedaris
5 Stars
Review:

Who knew animals could be so manipulative, so insecure, so faithful, so self-centered... so like humans! I found myself slightly disturbed by the Aesop like stories. But I couldn't help but think that these vignettes were strangely familiar, like something I read in the news, or a friend of a friend who had a similar experience. After reading this, it'll make you stop and think before you say something that would make you sound or act some of the creatures in this book.

I enjoyed Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk and highly recommend it (for those with a sense of humor and not likely to be offended by much). This is definitely a book I will come back to for a reread. I'm also looking forward to reading more from David Sedaris.

I also have to point out that I loved the way this book was printed. I'm not a big fan of hardcover books, but this wasn't overwhelming large, with thick pages that were easy to turn. The illustrations were lovely too.


The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, Book 1) by Stephen King
0 Stars
Review:

Set aside.


The Road Home by Jim Harrison
0 Stars
Review:

I put this aside to read Anne of Green Gables. I will return though I'm at a part in the book that I'm finding difficult to get through. The narrative has switched to another character and I'm starting not to like him very much. However, that could change once I come back to finish reading.


Anne of Green Gables by L. M. (Lucy Maud) Montgomery
5 Stars
Review:

Anne always makes me smile!

Free ebook version available here...


A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R. R. Martin
5 Stars
Review:

Un. pre. dictable! That's what this book is and I LOVED it! I like George R. R. Martin's writing style. He just tells the story with just enough details to bring this world to life without getting too wordy.

The first part of the book was a lot of character introduction and moving those characters around. I was surprised that I found myself very engaged with these characters though not a whole lot was happening at first. But when the story started moving along I was sneaking in as much reading time as I could.

I had planned on reading a non-Martin book when I finished A Game of Thrones. But this guy left so many story lines unfinished that I had to run and get the second book to find out what happens next! Darn you George R. R. Martin! So many books to read... so little time!


A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire #2) by George R.R. Martin
5 Stars
Review:

No time to leave a review. Just trust me when I say READ IT! So so much happened and it just doesn't stop. Now off to read Book 3, A Storm of Swords! Thank goodness for ebooks and ereaders!


A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire #3) by George R.R. Martin
5 Stars
Review:

So much happened in this book it's crazy! Several fun twists, the body count continues to grow, people betraying one another... what's NOT to love!

(When I finished Book 3 I was so obsessed with the A Song of Ice and Fire series I had to take a break. I read A Storm of Swords in a week, reading almost a hundred pages a day, even during the work week! I was that obsessed and needed a break despite the 5th book having just been released and I still needed to read Book 4. But seriously, THIS book! Oh my goodness, thinking about it still gives me chills and I can't believe what happened! I'm horrified and angry but IT WAS SO AWESOME! Do not go to some wikipedia to find out what happens! READ IT!)


To Hell on a Fast Horse: The Untold Story of Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett by Mark Lee Gardner
4 Stars
Review:

This was a very interesting read. It's a true telling of Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett, two very real men who have done some extraordinary things, and who will always be remembered together. After reading this I feel like reading, or even writing a dime store novel. But I don't think Pat Garrett would approve.

(BEST BOOK TITLE EVER!)


The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
5 Stars
Review:

I think the last time I read this book I was in high school. I forgot what made me want to pick up a copy two weeks ago but I'm glad I did. It's one of those comfortable books, like a pair of favorite jeans or a favorite stuffed toy. It's definitely a book that should be in everyone's collection. I read it over the weekend and it's as good as I remembered it. It's a classic YA novel. And of course, I CRIED! You would too! And if you didn't cry after reading this book, well, then you have ice water running through your veins! I won't forget you Johnnycake and Dally! Stay gold, Ponyboy!