Matilda

Our family listened to Matilda by Roald Dahl on audiobook on our recent road trip. We thought it'd be fun since my daughter was recently in the musical at school. The book description of Matilda says, "Matilda is a sweet, exceptional young girl, but her parents think she's just a nuisance. She expects school to be different but there she has to face Miss Trunchbull, a menacing, kid-hating headmistress. When Matilda is attacked by the Trunchbull she suddenly discovers she has a remarkable power with which to fight back. It'll take a superhuman genius to give Miss Trunchbull what she deserves and Matilda may be just the one to do it!"

This was a fun book to listen to. I loved the narrator and all her voices, and while listening, I looked up who it was--and it was actress Kate Winslet! I'm sure I've read Matilda in the past (as a child or something), but I didn't really remember it. It was fun to compare it to the 90s movie and to the musical. (Like there's a scene with a parrot that's in neither. Or there are a lot of lines from the book that are the exact same in the musical.) I enjoyed the read but probably won't say "loved" it since it wasn't fresh and novel.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Gathering Blue

Connor and I continued on our reading of The Giver series by reading book 2--Gathering Blue, also by Lois Lowry. This book does not follow the characters or world from The Giver (but subtly refers to Jonas toward the end). Gathering Blue is about Kira, a girl who was born with a deformed leg.  When Kira's mom dies, others in the village want Kira thrown out to the beasts since she can't contribute much.  But, the Council of Elders instead takes her in to use her gifts with threads to repair the Singer's robe.  Kira's new life is luxurious, but she soon learns more about the village where she lives and begins to wonder if she is really free.

This was another really good book.  I wanted to read it more often and more quickly, but reading together doesn't really allow for that.  :)  The characters were so easy to get to know because they were distinct and well described.  I loved all the side characters (Kira's friends) and was anxious to see how things would turn out in the story.  Some questions were left unanswered, but I think the series is going to tie things together in book 4.  Can't wait!

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

The Giver

I read The Giver by Lois Lowry several times in my past (childhood then again in high school or college).  Lois Lowry has written several companion books to The Giver, including a new one called The Son.  I wanted to read The Son but figured I should re-read all the other books first.  So, I decided to start with The Giver.  Even better, Connor and I decided to read all these books together, so we read this one, reading aloud over the past week or so.  This book is about Jonas, who lives in a futuristic community that has embraced Sameness.  Their lives are pretty perfect--no pain or real emotions in their orderly society.  When Jonas is selected to be the next Receiver, he realizes that there is more to their lives than he ever knew.

This is such a great book.  It got more and more engaging, and finally last night, we just had to stay up late and finish it up because we couldn't put it down.  The book has great characters and is super thought-provoking and deep.  I love how it (like many good books) is both funny and sad.  (I even had to pass the book over to Connor to read a couple times when I got teary.)  I'm glad we re-read the book, and I'm looking forward to Gathering Blue next.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)